[December 16, 2014] To pay for college I worked on the Missouri Pacific Railroad (affectionately called the “MOP”) in the summer months in the early 1970s. I remember it being a tough, 6-day workweek job that paid well … and I belonged to the railroad union that ensured good pay as well. At the time there were negotiations to merge with Union Pacific (the UP). We joked that such an entity would someday be called the “MOP-UP” because it would become the largest railroad in the United States and mop up all the competition.
The merger did happen and the Union Pacific did become the largest railroad in the USA and is still today. Being the largest however does not guarantee it to be the best; but it is. The UP has done what few railroads, or other organizations for that matter, have done by taking a manpower intensive and equipment heavy organization and continues to make it safe and productive. With heavy competition from trucking, bussing, and new technologies in shipping, railroads have seen many of their customers switch. Yet, the UP continues to be profitable and has made good use of advances in engineering and computer technology.
They did this through leveraging their core values. Their determination to adhere to this small but important set of values cannot be appreciated unless you’ve worked on a railroad.
- Focus on Performance: safety, customer satisfaction, and quality results
- Ensure High Ethical Standards: creating a bond with customers, shareholders, and community partners
- Work as a Team: communication and respect are the foundation1
Railroad work is hard work and those who are employed are tough, no-nonsense people. I know this from personal experience and from having a father who retired from the railroad – the Missouri Pacific Railroad. They take safety seriously and expect all employees to be safety conscious at all times. For example, being a brakeman on the railroad is one of the most dangerous jobs in the world and safety is not just a slogan for them.
The Union Pacific Railroad has my respect for being a great organization and doing good things for America.
[Don’t forget to “Like” the Leader Maker at our Facebook Page.]
————————-
[1] http://www.up.com/aboutup/corporate_info/uprrover/index.htm