WASHINGTON — Amtrak has been named as one of America’s Best Large Employers in a Forbes survey, which identifies the top 500 companies with 5,000 or more employees.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology, with 15,722 employees, topped the Forbes list. The ranking is based on a survey of about 45,000 workers at such companies, who were asked if they would recommend their current employer (on a scale of 1 to 10) to friends or family, and to cite any other employer they would also recommend.
Amtrak ranked 29th overall, second to Delta Airlines (12th) in the Transportation and Logistics category. The only other rail-related employer on the list was New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, ranked 255th.
Amtrak was recognized at time when its 20,000 employees include some 3,700 new hires in 2022. The company has more than 4,000 positions available this year.
“The incredible new talent joining our dynamic workforce represents one of the best teams in the transportation industry,” CEO Stephen Gardner said in a press release. “Our employees will power our growth thanks to their dedication and passion for what we do and drive our vision to deliver more trains to more people.”
The picture clearly shows something that trains get little credit for: not using tons of deicing chemicals to clear the right of way of snow. I factor this in my determination of which mode of transport more environmentally friendly.
If management were serious about trying to provide consistent service, they would ask their employees.
I have traveled over 65,000 miles by rail in my lifetime. A big portion of this was on Amtrak in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. I found that Amtrak employees generally try very hard to provide good service. That observation carries forward into more recent travel after that time. The rank-and-file seem to try to do a very good job.
Management, especially higher levels, seems to be a recurring impediment to their efforts. That and micro-management by politicians with no rail background or knowledge (i.e., Mica Amendment to create “profitable” dining cars) makes life tough for the average service employee who must face the public daily and make it work somehow instead of sitting in an upstairs office.
Where are CSX, NS and UP ranked. A few years ago wasn’t UP ranked very low?
I know a retired cook for Amtrak and he loved working for them. He said when they made the move to canned meals and microwaves they took care of him and got him into routes that still supported fresh meals.
Now as far as Amtrak as a viable, operational activity, that is a different thing to measure.
“Our employees will power our growth thanks to their dedication and passion for what we do and drive our vision to deliver more trains to more people.”
I wish what the CEO was true becuase its not the employees that have been driving the operational shrinkage.
I had 42 years with Amtrak and always enjoyed my work. Some employees do not take into consideration benefits and I believe that what Forbes looks at. Working conditions involving equipment made it a little negative somedays but it was like that my whole career.
Seriously?
Why not add Union Pacific to the list.
Charles, Amazing as it may sound, I think they are on the list!
Sorry Laurence: The only other rail-related employer on the list was New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority, ranked 255th.