ROANOKE, VA -
We're learning more today about who's affected by cuts at Norfolk Southern. The 140 jobs affected include technical jobs like inspectors and repairmen, train and engine employees like operators and some supervisors.
For the past two days, Norfolk Southern representatives and union representatives have been meeting with employees behind closed doors.
"It's an eye opener. You have to realize you have to find a different way to provide for your family. Just do the best you can" said Mark Gordon, who worked as a conductor traveling to Bluefield and Bristol.
His position is one of the ones being eliminated and now he will have to decide if he wants to move to another state for a new job within the company. Options he's been given include Birmingham, Alabama, Greenville, South Carolina, Decatur, Illinois or Atlanta, Georgia.
"Right now, I'm going to talk with my wife and see if she wants to move, if not, I don't really know what else to do right now, just hope for the best" said Gordon.
"It hurts, it hurts" said Tim Johnson who represents the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen union.
Johnson has been with Norfolk Southern for 26 years and says his job is to look out for newer employees.
"Reassure them and try to help them and try to work with the carrier to try and make this a smoother transition for the guys this will affect" said Johnson.
But he says it's not easy.
"Most of them are young they've got children and family, their health insurance if they don't transfer or don't have a position here somewhere, they're going to have to look for employment somewhere else" said Johnson.
A Norfolk Southern spokesman says job openings within the company are filled based on seniority and as jobs become available, they'll be offered to those who lost jobs. We're told it could be months before everything's worked out. They expect to fill 850-1150 full time positions through the end of this year.
