| Erie Occasions-Information
It was a yr of temperature checks, social distancing and sanitizing stations at Erie’s century-old locomotive plant.
However proof suggests it was rising consideration to the setting and issues over a downturn within the locomotive market — not simply the pandemic — that formed the agenda of the previous GE Transportation, bought by Pittsburgh-based Wabtec in 2019.
However the pandemic and a associated slowdown within the financial system did go away a mark on Erie’s largest industrial employer.
Extra: Labor and COVID-19: The virus’ effect on Erie County workers, businesses
When Wabtec took over the previous GE Transportation in February 2019, the union workforce on the native plant was about 1,700, along with a whole lot of engineers and workplace employees.
Beneath new possession: GE Transportation-Wabtec merger brings hope
At the moment, the scale of the hourly workforce is nearer to 1,000, mentioned Scott Slawson, president of Native 506 of the United Electrical, Radio and Machine Employees of America.
The corporate introduced two rounds of delayed layoffs throughout 2020, one for about 300 staff and a second for 150 staff.
Job cuts: Wabtec to cut 300 jobs in Erie
“Wabtec is adjusting its operations in Erie, Pa., to align with at present’s quantity realities,” firm spokesman Tim Bader mentioned in an announcement in October. “Selections like this are by no means simple, but it surely comes as the results of an in-depth analysis of the market and the right way to finest place the corporate for fulfillment given at present’s unprecedented setting.”
However 2020 wasn’t with out hopeful indicators.
One attainable glimpse into the long run is being examined by BNSF Railway on an everyday freight run between Barstow and Stockton, California.
The freight prepare making that run in latest weeks is powered by two typical Wabtec Tier 4 locomotives which have been paired with Wabtec’s new experimental battery-electric FLXDrive locomotive.
The battery-powered locomotive, which makes use of regenerative braking energy to recharge its huge batteries, serves as a hybrid via its connection to the diesel locomotives. The mixture of diesel and electrical locomotives is predicted to cut back emissions and enhance gas effectivity by not less than 10%.
“This know-how works in a way similar to how electrical automobiles use regenerative braking,” mentioned Alan Hamilton, vice chairman of engineering for Wabtec. “It’s a major step ahead for the rail trade and can change the course for even cleaner, extra energy-efficient transport.”
Other than enhancing gas financial system, the hybrid prepare offers the engineer with choices for cleaner operation.
“The place trains originate and arrive are usually extra populated city areas,” Hamilton mentioned. By operating on solely the ability of the electrical locomotive, “It is attainable to function for a lot of miles in emissions-free mode,” Hamilton mentioned.
In different phrases, whereas operating via town, diesel engines will be shut down whereas the battery-powered locomotive takes over.
Hamilton mentioned the give attention to gas effectivity and the setting shouldn’t be a passing section for Wabtec, which in October launched its 2020 sustainability report that highlights the corporate’s accomplishments and commitments to “growing revolutionary applied sciences, driving accountable operations, and empowering individuals and communities across the globe.”
One other of the corporate’s efforts to decrease operation prices for its clients handed a milestone in 2020.
Wabtec’s Journey Optimizer system, a wise cruise management system for trains that was launched in 2009, marked service of greater than 500 million miles.
The system, which has been put in on greater than 11,000 locomotives around the globe, has saved railroads greater than 400 million gallons of gas and decreased CO2 emissions by greater than 500,000 tons per yr.
Maybe the most important information of the yr for Wabtec’s locomotive plant got here in July when New York Metropolis’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority introduced it will purchase 25 electric-diesel hybrid locomotives from Wabtec to be used on NYC Transit work trains in a deal price $233 million.
Extra: Wabtec wins $233 million order for Erie-built hybrids
The advantages of that deal, in addition to the choice to construct one other 45 locomotives, will play out over time. Whereas engineers in Erie are engaged on the design for the brand new locomotives, supply of the locomotives is not anticipated to start for 3 years.
The union’s Scott Slawson sees hopeful indicators in each the FLX Drive and the mass transit order.
However he sees challenges within the quick future.
“Proper now it comes right down to work,” he mentioned. “The mass transit order is not going to begin (manufacturing) till the tip of subsequent yr. Proper now, individuals aren’t ordering a lot so I hope we see a push towards mass transit.”
After some contentious moments between the corporate and the union within the early days of the pandemic, each events mentioned they rely as profitable their shared plan for office security.
Extra: Emotions run high as Wabtec ramps up production
Hamilton mentioned there was an particularly efficient partnership between the union and the corporate.
“I actually do suppose, all issues thought of, (the protection plan) was an excellent success story for us,” Hamilton mentioned. “There was a implausible partnership and open dialogue.”
Whereas the plant wasn’t free from COVID-19 circumstances, there have been fewer circumstances than many anticipated, Slawson mentioned.
That has him reflecting on a troublesome yr that might have been worse.
“I discovered do not take issues with no consideration,” Slawson mentioned. “It has been a troublesome yr on many fronts. My ideas and prayers exit to everyone. It is a yr everybody needs to neglect.”
Contact Jim Martin at [email protected] Observe him on Twitter at @ETNmartin.
