In a letter to Montana RailLink (MRL)employees, Derek Ollmann, President of MRL, shared the news that MRL will be concluding their long-term lease with BNSF Railway. BNSF will be resuming operations and maintenance of MRL, which will provide long term sustainability, predictability and opportunity for employees and customers.
The decision was made after considerable thought and securing BNSF’s commitment to continue employment for all MRL employees. MRL employees will have the ability to stay and work in their current location under the MRL labor agreements once an implementing agreement is negotiated. Under this scenario, BNSF will also preserve payments to employees that match MRL’s historical annual profit-sharing payouts going forward.
The freight environment has evolved; however, over 90% of the volume moving on MRL is on BNSF trains. MRL is a critical link in BNSF’s northern transcontinental network, delivering grain, consumer and industrial products to the West Coast. BNSF operating the line as part of their network will ensure competitive access to global markets while continuing to provide consistent, reliable service for customers. This will create a more seamless supply chain and will position MRL employees and customers for future success.
MRL and BNSF will be in touch with union leadership immediately to start negotiations regarding implementing agreements with MRL’s labor unions. There will be no change in the status quo as those negotiations are ongoing.
