SMART-TD and Union Pacific Announce Landmark Agreement Securing Jobs and the Future of Railroading

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD), the nation’s largest railroad union, and Union Pacific Railroad, the nation’s largest railroad, announced a historic agreement ensuring job security for thousands of railroad workers as Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern pursue a proposed merger.

This groundbreaking agreement guarantees that SMART-TD members working in train and yardmaster service will have job protection for the length of their careers following the transaction, subject to the usual requirements for continued employment. Union Pacific has committed that these employees will not face involuntary furloughs as a result of the merger. This is an unprecedented guarantee in the history of American railroading.

The result of these protections will reduce disruption to shippers and overall customer service. Therefore, SMART-TD is proud to announce its support for Union Pacific’s proposed merger with Norfolk Southern. This support will be reflected before the Surface Transportation Board in Docket No. 36873, where the union will stand behind the agreement as a model of protecting workers while advancing the industry.

Protecting Workers, Protecting the Supply Chain

SMART-TD entered these negotiations with one primary concern: the job security of the men and women who keep America’s freight moving. This agreement directly addresses that concern. With lifetime job protection, preferential hiring for affected terminal employees, and a commitment to work together on implementing agreements, both parties are ensuring that railroaders and their families will have stability and peace of mind for years to come.

“This is a proud day for our members,” said SMART-TD President Jeremy R. Ferguson. “For generations, railroaders have worried about what mergers might mean for their jobs and whether or not they would be given the opportunity to reach retirement on the rail. Today, we can say with confidence that the biggest railroad and the biggest rail union in America are breaking new ground. We are protecting jobs, protecting families, and protecting the future of the U.S. supply chain. I want to thank Jim Vena, Mark George and their teams for thinking outside the box and putting their employees at ease in unprecedented times. This is a bold agreement, and I’m proud of the mutually beneficial work done here and what Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern, and SMART-TD were able to accomplish.”

“I want to thank SMART-TD for its leadership. When we announced our intent to create the first transcontinental railroad in America, I made a promise to protect the jobs of all unionized employees. Those who have a job when the merger is approved will continue to have one,” said Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer Jim Vena. “I am confident we will unlock new sources of growth for the country and our industry, taking more trucks off taxpayer-funded highways, serving new markets, and keeping more railroad jobs in America.”

“This merger will create opportunities for growth – not just for our business, but for our people. That’s why, from the outset, we made clear that every union employee at the combined company would have a job,” said Norfolk Southern CEO Mark George. “Today’s commitment with SMART-TD takes that promise a step further and reflects our deep appreciation for and confidence in the people who keep our railroads moving every day.”

An Unprecedented Agreement

The agreement stands out as a model of collaboration between labor and management at the highest level. It demonstrates that even in times of great change, industry leaders and unions can come together to secure both economic progress and the livelihoods of working people.

“This is more than a contract—it’s a commitment,” Ferguson added. “It’s proof that when workers and management sit down in good faith, we can build an industry that serves everyone: employees, companies, and the American people who depend on the railroads every day.” With this agreement, SMART-TD, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are leading the way in shaping a stronger future for employees, customers, and the American economy.

For more information or to connect with the leadership of the Union Pacific Railroad, Norfolk Southern or the SMART Transportation Division, please contact our communications teams.

About Union Pacific

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.

About Norfolk Southern

Since 1827, Norfolk Southern Corporation (NYSE: NSC) and its predecessor companies have safely moved the goods and materials that drive the U.S. economy. Today, it operates a 22-state freight transportation network. Committed to furthering sustainability, Norfolk Southern helps its customers avoid approximately 15 million tons of yearly carbon emissions by shipping via rail. Its dedicated team members deliver approximately 7 million carloads annually, from agriculture to consumer goods. Norfolk Southern also has the most extensive intermodal network in the eastern U.S. It serves a majority of the country’s population and manufacturing base, with connections to every major container port on the Atlantic coast as well as major ports across the Gulf Coast and Great Lakes. Learn more by visiting www.NorfolkSouthern.com.

Contact:

Kristen South – Media Contact – (402) 544-5034 – media@up.com

Source: Union Pacific Corporation