|
The Union Pacific (UP) formally re-submitted its application to "merge" with the Norfolk Southern (NS) today, April 30th. The first announcement of the railroad's intention was released on July 29th, 2025. Since that time, Railroad Workers United (RWU) has been actively opposing the plan and working to build mass opposition to it. On August 6th, the RWU Steering Committee adopted a Resolution Against Further Class One Rail Mergers. On August 11th, 2025, RWU issued our initial Press Release opposing the merger. By Fall, we had made available stickers and buttons to all those who wish to express their opposition to the proposed merger. We initiated working with various other organizations opposed to the merger including the American Economic Liberties Project, Public Rail Now, Solutionary Rail, and The Rail Users Network among others. A number of Rail Unions have likewise adopted a position of opposition to Union Pacific's plan.
Since last summer, we have continued to issue declarations in opposition to the proposal, including a updated Press Release December 19th, 2025 (the original day of filing by UP); Special Bulletins on the question, November 25th, 2025 and March 18th, 2026;; and most recently - in the face of various developments over the intervening 8 months - an updated reiteration of our earlier Resolution, adopted April 6th, 2026.
In April, a number of RWU members and supporters handed out thousand of flyers and leaflets, buttons and stickers at public events on the western leg of the UP "Big Boy" Tour - including Portola and Roseville, CA and Ogden, UT. We received a warm and positive welcome by practically everyone we spoke with who came out to see the magnificent steam locomotive and train. We expect the same reception on the eastern leg of the tour later this spring and summer. Anyone who would like to assist in spreading the word at any of the eight scheduled public viewing stops along the route - Omaha, NE; West Chicago, IL; Buffalo, NY; Scranton, Philadelphia and Altoona, PA; Fostoria, OH, St Louis and Kansas City, MO - please contact us at info@railroadworkersunited.org.
For working railroaders - especially those who have lived and worked through previous corporate mergers - this is a no-brainer. The merger serves the interests of the corporate masters, wealthy stock holders, and Wall Street hedge funds; and the workers, passengers, shippers and the public be damned. By building and participating in the broadest coalition possible, we expect to defeat this merger. We invite everyone - whether you work for the railroad or otherwise - to join us in this effort!
| 
