NORTH LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Union Pacific has announced it will introduce a locomotive with a commemorative paint scheme honoring its Employee Resource Groups, organizations which seek to support the railroad’s diversity efforts. The “We Are One” locomotive carries No. 1979, marking the year the first such group, the Black Employee Network, was established. It will be unveiled in Houston in honor of Juneteenth (June 19th), the holiday marking the end of slavery in the U.S., and will travel the UP system leading up to the ONE ERG Conference in Omaha Sept. 1-2.
“Juneteenth is a day of reflection to appreciate, acknowledge and honor the experience of others that came before us,” Amy Bang, senior manager-Diversity and Inclusion, Workforce Resources, said in an online announcement offering teaser photos of the locomotive. “Owning our past is a reminder that our work to reach equity is not done. We should use the holiday as an opportunity to come together, celebrating our shared humanity and community.”
Employees at the Jenks Locomotive Shop in North Little Rock painted the locomotive and applied decals, using a design created by UP’s Corporate Communications and voted on by the Employee Resource Groups. It incorporates the initials of the Black Employee Network and the eight other ERG organizations; a full list of those groups is available here, along with more information on the Employee Resource Group program.
