The IAM Union Rail Division has announced that it is monitoring Union Pacific’s proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern. The union has expressed concerns about the potential effects on community safety, job security, workers’ rights, competition, and the long-term stability of the freight rail industry.
In a statement, the IAM Union Rail Division called for openness during the Surface Transportation Board’s regulatory review process. “The IAM Union Rail Division urges complete transparency throughout the Surface Transportation Board’s regulatory review process and will fight to protect our members’ jobs, rights, and livelihoods. We hope that this merger will value workers over the corporate bottom line.”
The union emphasized its commitment to public safety and economic security for its members. “Our priority remains the safety of the public and the economic security of our members. As this proposal progresses, we will use every available resource to hold carriers and regulators accountable.”
The IAM Rail Division includes members from both the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) and IAM District 19. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) represents about 600,000 active and retired members across various sectors in North America such as aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, manufacturing, transit, healthcare, automotive, among others.
Union Pacific’s planned acquisition would combine two major U.S. freight railroads at a time when consolidation in transportation industries is under close scrutiny by regulators.
