Cover Story: Union Pacific Targets Former Military Personnel for Employment

OMAHA, Neb., Jan 13, 2006 /PRNewswire - Union Pacific Railroad will continue its aggressive hiring pace in 2006, at all levels, from train service to management.

One employment pool Union Pacific Railroad continues to target is the Armed Forces -- particularly members of the military who are either retiring or looking for employment while remaining in the Reserves or National Guard. In recognition of its efforts to recruit and hire former members of the military, G. I. Jobs magazine -- a national monthly magazine that assists transitioning military members and veterans in their search for civilian employment -- named Union Pacific Railroad the nation’s top Military Friendly Employer for 2005.

"Union Pacific continues to hire and recruit new employees to keep consumer products and goods moving on the nation’s rail system. Over the next decade, nearly 40 percent of our employees will reach retirement age," said Barb Schaefer, senior vice president-Human Resources. "We want retiring and transitioning military personnel to know that we are looking for men and women with armed services experience to join our workforce, where they receive great wages, benefits, and opportunity for advancement."

Rich McCormack, publisher of G.I. Jobs, said, "Union Pacific also has four recruiters who spend 50 percent of their time on military recruiting, and they have an excellent reserve and guard policy."

According to Schaefer, Union Pacific targets people with military experience for several reasons. Many of the railroad’s technical jobs -- such as diesel locomotive mechanics, electricians and railcar mechanics -- are well suited for military members who have developed similar skills working with military equipment.

Lifestyles and working conditions are also similar between the military and the railroad, and many positions at Union Pacific involve outdoor work with non-traditional working hours.

"Corporate employment will certainly be a major issue in 2006 for many industries, but there is no question Union Pacific will be one of the most aggressive hiring companies in the country," Schaefer said. "Economic growth continues to fuel demand for UP to move products and raw materials across America, and we need to ensure we have the workforce to meet this demand. In addition, many of our long-time employees will reach retirement over the next few years, and we need to have properly trained employees to keep operations running efficiently."

Interested applicants are encouraged to visit www.up.com and click on "Jobs at UP." Persons without access to computers should visit their local job service, public library, or copy center. Applicants should be a minimum of 18 years of age. People who receive a job offer are required to successfully complete a medical exam, drug test and background investigation.

Union Pacific Corporation (UNP) owns one of America’s leading transportation companies. Its principal operating company, Union Pacific Railroad, links 23 states in the western two-thirds of the country and serves the fastest-growing U.S. population centers. Union Pacific’s diversified business mix includes Agricultural Products, Automotive, Chemicals, Energy, Industrial Products and Intermodal. The railroad offers competitive long-haul routes from all major West Coast and Gulf Coast ports to eastern gateways. Union Pacific connects with Canada’s rail systems and is the only railroad serving all six major gateways to Mexico, making it North America’s premier rail franchise.

SOURCE: Union Pacific Corporation