Rail Unions Express Concern Over $85B Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern Merger
The proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern is facing growing opposition from organized labor. On June 9, 2026, a mechanics and shop workers union issued a formal statement opposing the deal. This adds to the increasing number of critics voicing concerns over safety and job security.
Major unions such as the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division have voiced their concerns. Together, these unions represent over half of the combined workforce of the two railroads. They warn that the deal could:
- Jeopardize worker safety
- Increase shipping rates and consumer prices
- Trigger significant supply chain disruptions
The unions argue that Union Pacific has not implemented the same post-derailment safety improvements that Norfolk Southern put in place following the catastrophic 2023 East Palestine, Ohio, train derailment.
If approved by the Surface Transportation Board (STB), the merger would result in the nation’s first coast-to-coast freight railroad. This railroad would span over 50,000 route miles across 43 states, with an estimated combined enterprise value of $250 billion. Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena argues that the deal would reduce delivery times by one to two days by eliminating mid-country rail handoffs and shift 2.1 million truckloads to rail. However, a regulatory decision is not expected before 2027.