NNCLC Resolution in Opposition to the UP-NS Rail Mega-Merger

Northern Nevada Central Labor Council Resolution

in Opposition to the UP-NS Rail Mega-Merger

Whereas, railroad mergers and acquisitions of Class One railroads in recent decades have reduced the number of Class One rail carriers from more than 40 in 1980 to just six today: and 

Whereas, these mergers have more often than not been fraught with inefficiencies, confusion, service disruptions, clogged terminals, staffing shortages, exhausted workers, delayed passenger trains, threats to worker safety and health, and general malaise; and

Whereas, the Union Pacific absorption of the Southern Pacific 30 years ago resulted in a total “meltdown” of the combined railroad, taking months if not years to recover from; and 

Whereas, the carve-up of Conrail in 1999 resulted in a massive system-wide service failure and “melt-down” for more than a year when Norfolk Southern was incapable of absorbing half of Conrail after months of preparations; and

Whereas, following these disastrous mergers, the Surface Transportation Board (STB) issued a moratorium on such mega-mergers, and in 2001 issued new guidelines which now require the STB to consider labor, community, and environmental, as well as competitive affect; and

Whereas, the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger has already led to conflict between the rail craft unions due to the carrier’s promise of a so-called “job guarantee;” and

Whereas, a number of rail unions - including Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers & Trainmen (BLET); and the Brotherhood of Maintenance-of-Way Employees Division (BMWED) of the Teamster Rail Conference; the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA); Brotherhood of Railway Signalmen (BRS); Transport Workers Union (TWU); Railroad Workers United (RWU); and United Electrical (UE) along with various divisions, lodges, and locals - have issued official statements in opposition to the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger; and

Whereas, freight rail shippers and customers are not in favor of this deal either - it's all about fat shareholder payouts at the cost of workers, supply chains, passengers, and communities; and

Whereas, representatives of both political parties - including a bi-partisan group of Senators, the heads of Agriculture from 10 states; Congressional representatives from both the Monopoly Busters and the Labor Caucuses of the U.S. House of Representatives; Attorneys General from nine “Red” states; and most recently, 40 “America First” Republicans have all issued statements of deep concern about the merger proposal; 

Therefore, be it resolved that the Northern Nevada Central Labor Council (NNCLC) stands in solidarity with railroad workers and in opposition to the proposed merger; and

Be it further resolved that the NNCLC requests that unions, shippers, trackside communities, and other stakeholders speak up to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) and voice their opposition to the merger.

Adopted by the NNCLC Delegates Assembled on 3/11/2026