UP replaces San Antonio super

[CShaveRR]

Rudy, here's an article on the change--I think the answers are pretty easy to figure out.

OMAHA, Neb., Nov 19, 2004 (AP Online via COMTEX) -- Union Pacific Railroad has
replaced its superintendent in southwestern Texas, where five accidents since
May have killed four people and spilled hazardous materials.

The new San Antonio superintendent, Shane Keller, 35, will be responsible for
safe operation of more than 1,500 miles of track. He made significant safety
improvements when he served in a similar position in the St. Louis area in 2002
and 2003, the freight railroad said.

Keller replaces Gary Davidson, who had overseen the San Antonio service unit for
several years, railroad spokesman John Bromley said. Davidson is being
transferred to Omaha, Bromley said Friday.

As for why Davidson was replaced, Bromley said only: "We felt Shane was the
right guy to handle that service unit at this time."

Union Pacific, the nation's largest freight railroad, serves 23 states across
the western two-thirds of the country. The San Antonio area is at the crossroads
of Union Pacific's Texas network, with trains running east and west, as well as
north and south out of Mexico.

Three people died in June when two Union Pacific trains collided in a rural area
southwest of San Antonio and released a plume of toxic fumes. In November, a man
died when a rail car smashed into a San Antonio warehouse.

In response to those accidents and three others, federal regulators have
increased safety checks of Union Pacific in San Antonio. This week, regulators
said they continue to find deficiencies in Union Pacific train and engine crews.

[RudyRockvilleMD]

Some questions.:
1. What effect might the New York Times article on November 7 about the number of derailments in Texas [and California] and the too close relationship between the Union Pacific and the Federal Railroad Administration have had on the decision to replace the San Antonio superintendent?
2. According to the November 7 article in the New York Times five serious derailments recently occurred in or near near San Antonio. Could these derailments have influenced the decision to replace the Superintendent in San Antonio?

[CShaveRR]

One thing UP mentioned was the fact that the safety statistics improved greatly under Mr. Keller's watch at the St. Louis Service Unit.

The other guy might be perceived as being reprimanded or demoted, but he hasn't been fired, and he probably won't get a cut in salary.

Disclaimer: the only info I have is what the paper says--I know nothing about whether the move was voluntary or not, or about salaries. And the public gets to hear about Keller's saety record, and hets the perception (or at least the hope) that something positive is being done.

[kenneo]

didance --- To be sure, probably enough to create a decent storm. What still remains as the crux, is whose railroad did they happen on and who had "control" of the situation. That is going to be the company left holding the bag, and if it was owned and controlled by UP, well, there you go.

[dldance]

Remeber that BNSF was involved in at least a couple of this latest string of accidents -- so I expect that there has been a lot of finger pointing and arm waving.

dd

[kenneo]

Nor will the RR say anything. They will have one huge law suit on their hands if they do. If the ex-Supr doesn't sue, the Feds will as an unfail labor practice prohibited by statute.

However, I am suprised it took this long for the change. After about the third wreck, there should have been a suspension with pay for any involved supervisor (TM up through Supr) while the situation is investigated and those supervisors that were performing in a manner that permitted or promoted activities or situations played, or could have played a part in causing the wrecks, would then be fired.

If the supervisor(s) were doing everything they could to prevent ANY accident they would be retained.

The suspensions could (and probably would) include the trick dispatchers involved along with their respective trick chiefs, and perhaps, the chief himself.

Usually, the NTSB has a very good idea of the cause(s) of an accident and tells the RR what they are within hours of the wreck. If the Supr did not do all in his power to follow those recomendations IMMEDIATLY, even after one wreck, he should be sent packing.

[Anonymous]

The Associated Press is reporting that Union Pacific replaced its San Antonio, Tex., superintendent, noting that five recent accidents resulted in four deaths.
Gary Davidson is being sent to Omaha, and is being succeeded by Shane Keller, age 35. The railroad did not say exactly why it was making the change.