Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern Now Has a Majority of Unions Supporting Merger

By Kelly Cloonan

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern said their proposed $71.5 billion merger now has support from a majority of unions representing their employees.

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation's Railroad Mechanical Department entered an agreement with the railroads that would guarantee that every employee with a union job when the merger is approved would continue to have one for life, the companies said Tuesday.

The union's support comes days after regulators said they would continue to review Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern's proposed merger despite opposition from other railroad players.

The Surface Transportation Board said last week it denied motions from BNSF Railway, CSX Transportation and a coalition of shipper associations to reject the revised merger application. Opponents to the deal have argued that Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern did not prove that the merger is in the public interest.

"While the motions and related comments raise important questions and issues, the Board determined that additional evidence and argument will aid its decision-making in this consequential transaction of first impression," the STB said.

Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have said that a combination of the two companies would provide faster, more reliable service.

The companies said they continue to expect the deal will be completed in the second half of 2027.

"The momentum behind this transaction continues to build, and we are ready to keep moving forward," Union Pacific's Chief Executive Jim Vena said.

Write to Kelly Cloonan at kelly.cloonan@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

September 22, 2026 12:01 ET (16:01 GMT)