Dave B Wrote:
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> Todd as a former Watco employee the wages are
> lower than class one railroads but they pay above
> the prevailing wage for an area, they have good
> benefits and a 401K and other employee benefits.
> Some of the operations are non-union and some are
> union represented, though the wages are the same
> in most cases. They have a good safety program and
> good training programs. Like any other railroad or
> industry they some very good managers and some who
> are not so good. The Webb family does belive all
> employees are part of the greater Watco Family,
> though they again do have some managers who do not
> have that mind set.

I have slowly infiltrated the Watco management and would agree with what Dave B has said. I am still pro-worker but have moved up looking for better pay. I don't fit in to the management ideals but just grin and bear it and then pass bread crumbs to the guys below me.

I'd add to what has been said by saying that Watco has made progress in the past couple of years in becoming a better company. They saw how they were known as the worst around and have worked to change that. They were loosing contracts because of their poor safety record. They actually have safety goals now and are trying to work safety into their corporate dictionary. They still work hard to save as much money as they can though. That is both good and bad, equipment and track structure is maintained at bare minimums usually but they have a lot of money to spend and take out very few loans when purchasing.

Each railroad is basically operated as an independent railroad and some are run real well and all the employees are happy while others are run like @#$%& and employees hate it. Watco hates unions and will do what they can to keep them off properties. Some of their railroad have been found guilty by the National Mediation Board for illegally blocking unionization.

All shortlines have lower pay than the class ones. Some shortlines have better pay than Watco some have worse. The pay differs wildly between Watcos railroads. It really comes down to which Watco railroad you will be going too.