The IAM Union Rail Division has stated it is closely watching the proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern by Union Pacific. The union says this potential merger could significantly change the freight rail industry and has expressed concerns about its impact on community safety, job security, workers’ rights, competition, and the long-term stability of the sector.
In a statement, the IAM Union Rail Division said: “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 that its main focus is on public safety and economic security for its members. It also committed to using all available resources to ensure accountability from both rail carriers and regulators as the merger proposal moves forward.
“The IAM Rail Division comprises members from the Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM) and IAM District 19. The International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers (IAM) is one of North America’s largest and most diverse industrial trade unions, representing approximately 600,000 active and retired members in the aerospace, defense, airlines, railroad, manufacturing, transit, healthcare, automotive, and other industries,” according to the statement.
