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Union Pacific

Former Union Pacific Attorney Blows The Whistle In Federal Lawsuit

October 5, 2026 Public Rail Now. , , , ,
Ryan Wilkins worked in Union Pacific’s law department from 2014 to 2019. He led the railroad’s Federal Railroad Safety Act (FRSA) team. Now he is the plaintiff in a federal whistleblower lawsuit in Nebraska, alleging UP retaliated against him for opposing practices he believed violated that same law, including practices tied to Precision Scheduled Railroading (PSR). His account carries weight at a critical moment. UP’s proposed merger with Norfolk Southern would create what the company calls the first transcontinental railroad in the country, and the Surface Transportation Board has not yet ruled on it.

Anti-Merger Coalition Urges Trackside Communities To Speak Up

September 8, 2026 Bill Stephens, Trains.com. , , ,
The Stop the Rail Merger Coalition is looking to stir up local opposition to the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger in trackside communities that would see an increase in train and truck traffic if regulators approve the proposed transcontinental combination. The coalition — which includes BNSF Railway, CPKC, shipper organizations, and three rail labor unions — on Thursday released an online interactive map tool that combines projected merger-related increases in train traffic and freight volume with existing blocked-crossing and safety data.

Railroads, Shipper Organizations Ask Regulators To Reject UP-NS Merger

August 11, 2026 David Lassen, Trains.com. , , , ,
BNSF, CSX, and five major shipper organizations have asked the Surface Transportation Board to immediately reject the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger application, saying it fails to address key aspects of the STB requirements for major mergers established in 2001. The two railroads each filed motions for summary denial of the merger, while the five shippers’ groups filed their motion jointly. A CPKC filing made similar claims that the application does not meet the prima facie, or first-impression, standard to support the merger, but that filing is presented as comments rather than a motion.

Merger Opponents Unmoved By Latest UP-NS Regulatory Filing

August 4, 2026 Trains.com. , , , ,
Not surprisingly, opponents of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger remain unmoved by the two railroads’ latest regulatory filing addressing plans for their union. BNSF CEO Katie Farmer and the Stop the Rail Merger Coalition have both issued statements reiterating their opposition in the wake of Monday’s UP-NS filing to address questions from the Surface Transportation Board about matters including competition, market share, and the impact of other mergers their deal might trigger.

Working People Oppose Corporate Railroad Merger

April 2, 2026 Otis Grotewohl, Workers World. , , , , ,
Rail workers and small family farmers are united in opposition to the proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS). The idea was first proposed by UP-NS bosses and capitalist shareholders in July 2025. The merger would combine the two major railroad companies, which span tracks across 43 states, and would create the first single-line railroad linking the North American coasts.  Several labor unions and organizations representing small farmers have raised concerns about how the merger would impact their jobs and raise costs for consumers.

Rail Workers Group Vows To Fight Proposed Rail Mega-Merger

December 22, 2025 Railroad Workers United. , , , ,
Today, Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) officially filed an application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) requesting approval to combine the two railroads. Railroad Workers United (RWU) - a cross-craft group of North American railroad workers from all unions, crafts and carriers, promises an all-out fight to block the merger, and urges all rail workers, unions, community groups, shippers, passenger rail advocates and other stakeholders to resist what would be the largest rail merger in history. According to RWU Organizer and BMWED member from Ohio Matt Weaver, “There’s no way in hell that this acquisition will be good for anyone in Rail Labor, nor most shippers, nor the American people.”

RWU Opposes Merger, Responds To Latest Fratricide In Rail Labor

November 24, 2025 Railroad Workers United. , , , , , ,
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.

Why Railroad Workers Are Fighting The Proposed UP-NS Merger

September 16, 2025 Bill Moyer, Solutionary Rail. , , , ,
In the coming year or so, the Surface Transportation Board will determine whether to approve or block Union Pacific’s $85-billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern. This signals an attempt by Wall Street to squeeze yet more from this critical infrastructure in order to maximize returns for shareholders. In 2023, Surface Transportation Board (STB) member Robert Primus was the sole board member to vote against the merger of Canadian Pacific and Kansas City Southern to form Canadian Pacific Kansas City. President Trump’s recent illegal firing of board member Primus further weakens the STB and corrupts its adjudicatory mandate. The absence of a key critical voice from the Board raises the pressure on concerned workers, shippers, competing railroads, and the public to make their voices heard. Unless Primus is reinstated, the approval of this Wall Street railroad merger is a near done deal.
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