Joe Hinrichs is Railway Age’s 2025 Railroader of the Year. Hinrichs collaborative approach to labour relations, for example; CSX being the first Class I to offer paid sick leave and forge preliminary agreements with its unions prior to the start of national bargaining, has gone a long way toward transforming the dynamic between management and rail labour from adversarial distrust to engaged problem-solving.
Hinrichs firmly believes that for CSX to fully realise its growth potential, labour and management must function as one team, with mutual respect and trust. He knows that change is difficult, but also knows necessary. And as a long-time railroad customer in his prior role as President of Ford Motor Company, he knows the importance of providing good service. CSX’s overall excellent performance is a testament to that. Joe Hinrichs, only the third CSX executive to be named Railroader of the Year (he was preceded by Michael Ward in 2009 and Hays Watkins in 1984) will be presented with the award at the traditional dinner hosted by the Western Railway Club at the Union League Club of Chicago on March 11, 2025. He sat down with Railway Age Editor-in-Chief William Vantuono at CSX’s Jacksonville, Florida headquarters for this interview.
Watch the Video of this Interview, Sponsored by Amsted Rail and Trinity Rail
Read the Feature Story From Railway Age’s January 2025 Issue
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