The International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail, and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD) on March 3 sent a letter to senators and representatives, urging them to support the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern (UP-NS) merger.
“Beyond workforce stability, this merger presents significant opportunities to strengthen freight mobility nationwide. The creation of the nation’s first coast-to-coast railroad would expand service options, improve network fluidity, reduce truck congestion on taxpayer funded highways, and support long-term economic growth,” the union wrote in the letter (download below).
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) rejected the railroads’ first merger application as “incomplete.” UP and NS are expected to refile their application by April 30.




