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. Critics argue the merger will inevitably lead to service disruptions, higher prices, job losses and weakened oversight.
Among the unions that oppose the merger are the Teamsters-affiliated Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET) and Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the Teamsters (BMWED-IBT), who together represent over half the UP and NS workforce. Railroad Workers United (RWU), a rank-and-file caucus composed of members of multiple rail unions, has come out strongly against the merger.
Other unions that have voiced criticism include American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) and the International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 19 Rail Workers.
The American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) and the American Chemistry Council share concerns similar to those of unions. Farmers argue the UP-NS merger will lead to fewer rail options and higher transportation costs, causing an increase in food prices impacting both consumers and farmers. Trump’s tariffs have already impacted the food supply, and the National Black Farmers Association has voiced particular concerns about that issue.
Statements of opposition
Other unions and labor leaders have taken positions condemning the merger. The United Electrical Workers (UE) Rail Crew Transportation Conference Board released a statement in November 2025: “The Union Pacific — Norfolk Southern (UP-NS) merger prioritizes monopoly profits over worker welfare and public safety, making it a clear detriment to both labor and the environment. We rail crew drivers suffer these consequences, since the more monopolized the railroads are, the more they can force rail crew transport contractors to only offer poverty wages.” (UE, Nov. 27, 2025)
Transportation Workers Union (TWU) President John Samuelsen publicly stated that “there is no world where Union Pacific should be controlling a coast-to-coast rail network.” (twu.org, July 29, 2025)
TWU Rail Division Director John Feltz shared similar thoughts: “Union Pacific cut railroad jobs even as other freight railroads ramped up hiring after the pandemic. They are not to be trusted by railroad workers nationwide and the TWU will fight any attempt to ram through a merger that Wall Street might like but is bad for railroad workers and the safety of everyone.” (twu.org, July 29, 2025)
UP-NS merger epitomizes capitalist greed
The possible merger between the two major railroad companies comes three years after Norfolk Southern caused an explosive train derailment in East Palestine, Ohio. NS’s freight trains were carrying hazardous materials and several trains were on fire for at least two days. Many people in the community are now reporting major health issues that are directly related to the crash. Some people have even brought lawsuits against NS for damages.
NS is also the subject of controversy in the Chicago suburb of Hammond, Indiana. The company promised to help pay for a pedestrian overpass at a dangerous rail crossing in Hammond, and the bosses are now backing down from the agreement, according to a recent ProPublica report. (March 25)
Rail workers and farmers distrust the tentative merger because the railroad companies have repeatedly lied to them.
While there is working-class opposition to the UP-NS merger, the Trump administration has praised the idea.
The railroad industry is driven by profit under capitalism. UP-NS bosses are unable to fulfill their promises to workers, farmers and consumers because they have opposing class interests.
In contrast to the capitalist U.S., People’s China has the world’s longest high-speed rail network that services the highest ridership. Unlike the U.S., China has a centrally planned, socialist economy. The U.S. is unable and unwilling to guarantee the same transportation conveniences for people here. The UP-NS merger will not improve the lives of workers or consumers, and it will only materially benefit bourgeois shareholders.
