Union Voices Strong Opposition to Merger

The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD), the largest rail labor union in the US, has announced its opposition to the proposed $85 billion merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. The union has raised serious concerns regarding Union Pacific's labor practices and its safety record.

Safety and Labor Practices Under Scrutiny

SMART-TD plans to present its concerns to the Surface Transportation Board, highlighting what it describes as a "troubling safety record." According to the union, publicly available data from recent years shows that Union Pacific leads the industry in accidents, incidents, injuries, and fatalities. This, the union argues, reflects a corporate culture that prioritizes aggressive operating ratios over the safety of workers and the public.

A Union with a Strong Voice

Representing over 125,000 active and retired transport workers, SMART-TD is a significant force in the rail industry. Its opposition to the merger underscores the growing concerns over safety and labor practices in the sector.