Merger Delay Does NOT Impact Jobs for Life Agreement

SMART-TD members across the country have been closely following developments surrounding the proposed merger between Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS). In January, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) rejected the railroads’ initial merger filing, which understandably created confusion and concern.

We want to be clear about what actually happened: the merger itself was not rejected.

STB Decision Was a Delay, not a Rejection

The STB determined that the initial application submitted by the railroads was administratively incomplete, meaning certain technical requirements in the filing needed to be addressed before the agency could begin its full review. The Board provided guidance on how to correct those issues, and the railroads are expected to refile their application next month, which will restart the formal regulatory review process.

While this development has delayed the timeline, it does not change the underlying agreement SMART-TD negotiated to protect your jobs.

Historic “Jobs for Life” Protections for Railroaders

Following extensive negotiations with both UP and NS, SMART-TD secured a historic agreement guaranteeing that employees in train and yard service on both Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern will not face involuntary furloughs for the duration of their railroad careers if the merger is approved.

That level of protection is unprecedented in modern rail mergers and represents a major shift from the uncertainty that has too often followed consolidations in the past.

Taking the Fight for Railroad Jobs to Congress

As part of our advocacy surrounding this merger, SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson sent a letter to every member of Congress outlining why our union supports the transaction and the unprecedented job protections secured for you, our members and their constituents. In that letter, President Ferguson emphasized that SMART-TD evaluates every rail merger through one central question, “How will it affect the jobs, livelihoods, and long-term stability of railroad workers?”

Read President Ferguson’s letter to Congress

Job Security Unites Us

We understand that not every railroader is excited about this merger, and that’s okay. There are very few issues in this industry that every railroader agrees on. Healthy debate is part of our culture, and our members hold a wide range of views about consolidation in the rail industry.

However, there is one thing that nearly every railroader can agree on: the sacrifices that come with a career on the railroad deserve real job security in return.

Railroaders work nights, weekends, holidays, and long hours away from their families to keep this country moving. For generations, workers have accepted those sacrifices while living with the constant uncertainty that their job could disappear during the next downturn or change in CEOs.

That is exactly what SMART-TD set out to change.

We also recognize that some other rail labor unions have chosen not to support this merger, and we respect their right to take that position. In many cases, those organizations have expressed concerns because they were not able to secure the same type of ironclad job protections for their members that SMART-TD negotiated for you.

Our responsibility is to the members we represent. That means pursuing opportunities that provide long-term stability and security for the railroaders who depend on these jobs to support their families.

Ending the Cycle of Railroad Furloughs

Another concern we have heard from members involves the reality that some railroaders are currently furloughed today on both Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. We know that for those members, reading about “Jobs for Life” protections can feel frustrating.

Many SMART-TD officers and leaders have experienced furloughs themselves during their careers. We understand the uncertainty, the financial strain, and the emotional toll it places on railroad families.

We are not saying that furloughs don’t exist today. Unfortunately, they do. But if this merger is approved and implemented, the workers on the rosters of both railroads will never again have to face that gut-wrenching uncertainty.

No more wondering if the next downturn will put you out of work.
No more waiting by the phone to find out if your career is being phased out.
No more living with the constant threat that your livelihood, benefits, and retirement could disappear overnight.

That kind of stability has rarely existed in the railroad industry, and SMART-TD believes railroaders deserve it.

Beyond workforce protections, the proposed merger would create the nation’s first true coast-to-coast freight railroad, improve network efficiency, expand service options for shippers, and strengthen the role rail plays in the national supply chain. But for SMART-TD, the most important part of this agreement will always be the people who keep the trains moving.

Our members.

What Happens Next in the Merger Process

The STB will now wait for the railroads to resubmit their application before beginning a detailed review process. That review will take time, and SMART-TD will remain actively engaged throughout every stage.

We will continue advocating on Capitol Hill and before federal regulators to ensure that the voices of railroad workers are heard.

At the end of the day, this effort is about more than a merger.

It is about making sure that the men and women who dedicate their lives to this industry can count on stable jobs, strong benefits, and secure pensions for life.

Our goal is simple. When a SMART-TD member leaves the railroad, it should be on their terms. Not because of corporate restructuring.

That is the promise behind the “Jobs for Life” agreement, and SMART-TD will continue fighting to make sure it becomes a reality.