HERMISTON, Ore. — Union Pacific Railroad filed notice this week with Oregon that it will lay off up to 195 employees at the Hinkle Rail Yard in Hermiston and close the yard’s supply warehouse and mechanical shop.
The East Oregonian reported that the railroad said the layoffs would be completed by July 19 and are expected to be permanent. The cuts are an escalation of layoffs that have happened at the rail yard since October.
Mayor David Drotzmann says it’s his understanding the latest layoffs will leave between 40 and 45 employees. The city of Hermiston’s June 2018 financial report listed Union Pacific as one of the city’s largest employers.
Railroad spokesman Tim McMahan told the newspaper the company would move some of Hinkle’s operations to yards in Portland; Spokane, Washington; Ogden, Utah; as well as Pocatello and Nampa, Idaho.
