ALTOONA, Pennsylvania. (WTAJ) – About 86 employees working for Norfolk Southern at the Juniata locomotive shop were laid off on Friday morning.

According to Norfolk Southern spokesman Jeff DeGraff, employees working in their mechanical department have been put on leave as part of a long-term business plan by the company that he says will best meet the needs of the company. needs of their customers.

In addition, 16 positions that were vacant will no longer be filled.

“We appreciate the hard work and commitment of all of the men and women on the Thoroughbred team and will be working with employees on leave on opportunities to apply for open positions elsewhere in our system,” said DeGraff.

Congressman John Joyce made a statement regarding leave and pledged to help those affected find new employment opportunities.

“It is incredibly disappointing that Norfolk Southern has chosen to put members of the Juniata locomotive shops on leave,” Joyce said. “These hard-working Pennsylvanians are valued members of our community and part of our local tradition of rail excellence.”

“We are very saddened and disappointed to hear this. It was a business decision on Norfolk Southern’s part, ”said Senator Judy Ward. “All local elected officials will work with our partners, our state and federal partners to try to get all the help possible for these displaced workers.”

In February 2020 Norfolk South announced that 85 positions will be opened or transferred to Altoona after the closure of operations at the locomotive shop in Roanoke, Va. Previously, between May and November 2019, more than 200 workers at Norfolk Southern in Altoona were made redundant.