Union Pacific’s Chicago Operating Team Celebrates World-Class Safety Achievement

December 18, 2025

"This achievement doesn't happen by chance - it's the result of consistent focus, smart decisions and a culture that values looking out for one another," said Cerwin Fleming, general manager, Chicago Service Unit. "Team Chicago is setting the bar high and showing what's possible when we work together."

Key to Chicago's success: a plan the whole team can follow. Safety Action Plans are one of the railroad's signature safety programs - each terminal and service unit creates its own plan, identifying unique risks and strategies for improvement while aligning with companywide goals.

Chicago's highly effective Safety Action Plan reinforces awareness and accountability, with a focus on engaging every individual: weekly updates confirm team progress toward Safety, Service and Operational Excellence goals; leaders discuss safety expectations in detail with new hires; and each shift starts with a face-to-face manager briefing.

"Every day is different on the railroad," said Charlie Banks, locomotive engineer. "Clear communication and staying focused on the small details gets big results. We take care of one another out here."

By making safety an ongoing conversation, the service unit can quickly identify opportunities and take action. This year, the team rolled out a new yard safety protocol to reinforce key behaviors when handling rail equipment as well as empowered crews to take ownership of their work environment.

Area terminals played a key role in contributing to the team's success: Butler, Altoona, Global III, Proviso, Yard Center and West Chicago each surpassed a full year without injuries. Global 2, Sterling and Adams are maintaining multiple-year safety records.

At Union Pacific, safety and service walk hand-in-hand - and Chicago serves as an excellent example.

"A safe operation is a fluid operation - the proof is in the metrics," Fleming said.

The Chicago Service Unit's year-to-date performance metrics are strong across all key measures - rail car dwell is down, train velocity and on-time departures are up - meaning better service for customers.

"We're using this as motivation to keep the momentum going and make safety a way of life," Fleming said.

The Chicago Service Unit is a contender to win the Operating Department's esteemed Safety Bell, presented annually to the service unit with the best overall safety record.

Union Pacific's Chicago footprint is extensive, boasting four intermodal facilities, five freight terminals and nearly 1,300 miles of track. Together, these facilities handle one-third of Union Pacific's carloads, serving more than 150 customers and managing daily interchanges with Class I railroads and short lines.