The BNSF signal department is still having difficulty recruiting new employees and further difficulty retaining them once they are hired.  As reported in our last newsletter, we concluded 2022 with 71 resignations on BNSF against a total new hire number of around 130, 9 of whom subsequently resigned or had their application disapproved.  Due to the ongoing struggles the BNSF is having, they have already increased their target for new hires in 2023.   

In our December issue, we reported that BNSF had increased its previous projection for 2023 to a goal of 135 new Assistant Signalmen to be hired.  As of the time of this writing, they have now increased that goal to 164 new Assistant Signalmen for 2023.  This increase can be attributed to the fact the Carrier failed to meet its 2022 goal and thus added the deficit to the 2023 hiring plan.  As of mid-March, 33 of those new hires have gone through the new hire orientation process at Johnson County Community College year to date.

This committee continues to be in discussions with BNSF to incorporate improvements into the hiring and training process with the hope of improving the poor retention rates we have seen.  When it comes to improving our new hire and Apprentice training programs, the end result is mutually beneficial to both parties, which means common ground should not be difficult to find.