KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Tuesday morning, members of the SMART Union will host an "informational demonstration" about layoffs coming to a rail yard in Kansas City, Missouri.
Last month, 41 Action News learned Union Pacific was scaling back operations at the Neff Yard near Interstate 435 and Front Street. A representative for employees estimated the changes could lead to as many as 200 layoffs.
From 7 to 9 a.m. Tuesday, current and former employees will set up on the corner of 6th Street and Broadway Boulevard in downtown Kansas City to raise awareness about the situation.
Union Pacific said while it is reducing workforce at the Neff Yard, it will transfer operations to yards in Kansas City, Kansas, and give some employees from the Neff Yard the option to work at those locations.
Employees conduct safety inspections and perform other work on rail cars at the Neff Yard.
Some employees worry layoffs at the Neff Yard will make the rail service unsafe. But a spokesperson from Union Pacific said the changes will increase operational efficiency, leading to safer and more reliable rail service.
