The IAM Union Rail Division has announced it is monitoring Union Pacific’s proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern. The union said the merger could significantly change the freight rail industry, but also raised concerns about community safety, job security, workers’ rights, competition, and long-term stability.
In a statement, the union 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 division stated.
Union leaders emphasized their focus on public safety and economic security for their members as discussions continue. “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,” according to their statement.
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 around 600,000 active and retired workers in various sectors such as aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, manufacturing, transit, healthcare, automotive, among others across North America.