Written by: Stuart Chirls, Senior Editor
Alaska Railroad is cutting 49 jobs as part of a major restructuring.
The state-owned carrier had kept 18 positions unfilled in anticipation of the job cuts, so the layoffs will affect 31 current employees, according to published reports.
A decline in oilfield activity has hit the railroad’s freight tonnage, which is down 44% since 2008.
A total of 52 jobs were eliminated this past June.
The reorganization represents an 8% reduction in the year-round workforce, currently at 609.
The railroad has cut 300 year-round positions since 2008.