MASSENA, N.Y. (WWNY) - Two months ago it looked like yet more north country jobs were down the drain. Now, Canadian National railroad says it has a plan to keep jobs on the Massena rail line.
It seemed like 50 good-paying rail jobs on the Massena line were history. That's how it looked 2 months ago when it was announced Canadian National would buy the line.
“You're very concerned. What's the future? Are there going to more jobs, less jobs,” said Ronald McDougall, SLC Mayors Association president.
But now Canadian National has filed a purchase application with regulators. The railroad says it will need 53 workers on the U.S. portion of the line, compared to the 50 CSX uses now. And it plans to spend money to upgrade tracks.
“That's good too. Anytime private sector investment comes into northern New York we're very pleased with that and cautiously optimistic,” said McDougall.
CSX workers would be given preference in hiring. Canadian National is also pledging to continue to serve local customers. The line runs from near Syracuse to Montreal.
"Well that's good. We'll count our blessings with that. That's a great starting point,” said McDougall.
Canadian National would employ 27 people in Massena. That compares to 29 CSX workers there now. In the future, there could be more trains on the line carrying intermodal freight containers. But not now.
Most of Canadian National's U.S. business is concentrated in the heartland of the nation, between Chicago and New Orleans. But now, it wants to bring some of its business, and investment, to St. Lawrence County and the north country.
Letters of support from Alcoa and Congressional Representatives John Katko and Elise Stefanik were included in Canadian National’s application.
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