When Railroad Workers United (RWU) was founded in 2008, delegates agreed that rail labor’s strength depends on solidarity, unity, and democracy across all crafts. That remains our position today. Sentiment alone does not win better wages, benefits, and working conditions; strategy and coordinated action do. As Eugene V. Debs reminded us, the success of the labor movement rests on real – not rhetorical – solidarity.
Unfortunately, recent developments have undermined these principles. In its latest statement, SMART-TD abandoned solidarity, unity, and democratic process.
Earlier this summer, after Union Pacific announced plans to merge with Norfolk Southern, SMART-TD issued a sharply critical statement. On July 29, 2025, it warned: “We approach this development with measured skepticism rooted in the real-world impact such consolidation could have on rail workers, safety, service quality, and the long-term health of the freight rail industry.” Yet on September 22, the organization abruptly reversed course and publicly endorsed the merger.
What happened?
SMART-TD leaders met privately with corporate executives and secured a promised “jobs guarantee.” That promise – still not publicly disclosed – was presented as “unprecedented,” justifying the sudden shift. Notably, SMART-TD’s endorsement made no mention of its earlier concerns about safety, service quality, or the industry’s long-term health.
Facing criticism from RWU and some rail unions, SMART-TD issued a defensive follow-up statement. It contradicts everything RWU stands for. RWU advocates coordinated bargaining and united action because that is how unions win. This principle applies at the bargaining table, in Congress, and in discussions with carriers. Here, rail unions could – and should – have developed a joint position opposing a merger that offers no clear benefits to workers. Instead, SMART-TD acted alone, prior to any formal filing with the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The UP-NS proposal is not even expected until later this fall and will likely undergo review through 2026.
SMART-TD’s rush to accept an unpublished agreement – without consulting other unions, allied groups, or even its own members – is indefensible. The union did not poll its membership, disclose the agreement, or provide any mechanism for members to approve or reject it. A merger of this scale, with profound implications for workers, demands democratic oversight. Rank-and-file members deserve a vote, just as they would on any major contract.
Even if the agreement were beneficial—and we doubt it—it remains unacceptable.
Any union that cuts a separate deal at the expense of others invites retaliation later. Today Union A may gain at Union B’s expense; tomorrow the roles will reverse. Such shortsighted behavior harms all of us. Following SMART-TD’s lead, other unions – including the National Conference of Firemen & Oilers (NCFO) and Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC) – have now endorsed a merger that will ultimately harm rail workers across all crafts.
As for the “jobs guarantee” itself, what does it actually provide? Highly likely, workers will retain “a job,” but not necessarily their job. Many will be forced to chase seniority across terminals, states, or entire service units as jobs and facilities are consolidated. Who will negotiate limits on forced relocations? What will happen in cities where UP and NS operations overlap and “redundant” facilities will be cut? The agreement also applies only to current employees, creating future two-tier conditions that will divide the workforce and weaken solidarity for years to come.
RWU calls for these secret agreements to be made public and submitted to a membership vote, just like any tentative agreement. We are prepared to debate proponents of the merger in any format.
What does this deal truly offer the workforce?
Most workers with five or more years of seniority already enjoy de facto job security; furloughs are rare. New hires, meanwhile, increasingly leave within a year or two – hardly a population that benefits from a jobs guarantee. And the carrier still possesses many tools to reduce staffing: violating the agreement (as they routinely violate contracts), escalating discipline, harassment, surveillance, or simply relying on attrition. In an economic downturn – widely predicted for years – railroads historically slash jobs. A merged UP-NS would be no different, and distinguishing between merger-related cuts and recession-related cuts will be nearly impossible.
This moment, like the 2022 national bargaining round, offers rail unions a chance to stand together, confront railroad consolidation, and build public support. We could highlight the dangers of monopoly, the industry’s service failures and safety decline, shrinking freight market share, neglected passenger rail, and record profits and stock buybacks amid stagnant traffic. Around the world, rail is expanding; in the United States, rail potential is squandered by corporate short-termism.
A united rail labor movement could partner with passenger rail advocates, shippers, environmental groups, and trackside communities to oppose this merger and future mega-mergers. We commend the Transport Workers Union (TWU) and United Electrical (UE) for opposing the UP-NS deal, and we urge all remaining rail unions to do the same. Locals and members should follow the example of BLET Division #205, which has publicly voiced its opposition. Rail workers can take inspiration from United Food & Commercial Workers (UFCW) rank-and-file grocery workers, whose grassroots campaign helped defeat the Kroger-Albertsons megamerger.
RWU is working with organizations and activists to oppose this merger, and our campaign is open to all – regardless of RWU membership. If you are a rail worker opposed to the merger, or have experiences from past mergers and “jobs guarantees” to share, please contact us.
United and determined, rail labor can win this fight.
