Norfolk Southern furloughs 130 Roanoke workers

Published September 3, 2019 by Robert Powell, III

A Virginia legislator is taking Norfolk Southern to task for furloughing about 130 Roanoke employees on Tuesday

Del. Sam Rasoul (D-Roanoke City) said he was “shocked and deeply disappointed to hear about Norfolk Southern's plans right after Labor Day. Aside from financially harming families and creating a severe economic blow to the Roanoke Valley, this decision shows a blatant disregard for Roanoke's role in helping to build the railroad in our region.”

Norfolk Southern said the furloughed employees can apply for positions elsewhere in the company.

“As we execute our new strategic plan, we expect that targeted hiring and furloughing will remain components of our operating model,” the company said in a statement. ”Today, that entailed the furlough of approximately 130 employees in Roanoke, Virginia.”

Norfolk Southern announced in December that it will move its corporate headquarters from Norfolk to Atlanta.