REP. Hoyle Expresses Concern Around Proposed RAIL Merger

September 04, 2026 REP. HOYLE EXPRESSES CONCERN AROUND PROPOSED RAIL MERGER WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Val Hoyle (OR-04), alongside over 100 Members of Congress and partners in labor, wrote to federal regulators demanding they consider the consequences of the Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern Rail merger for workers: “The proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger would create the largest rail network in this country’s history. Railroad workers are the backbone of our supply chain, and their rights and security must come first. When workers do well, our economy thrives,” said Rep. Hoyle. “I’m leading 100 of my colleagues in demanding that the Surface Transportation Board fully evaluate what this merger could mean for jobs, safety and accountability.” "This merger could cost thousands of jobs and deny our members their livelihoods, " said TWU Rail Division Director John Feltz. "Norfolk Southern is leaving its workers and everyone else in the dark. We appreciate the members of Congress who have our backs by demanding answers to basic questions about whether this merger will benefit all of us." “BRS members are on the ground every day maintaining the signal systems and critical infrastructure that keep America’s rail network operating safely. We know firsthand that bigger does not automatically mean better or safer. The proposed Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger would create an unprecedented level of consolidation in the freight rail industry, and we have serious concerns about what that could mean for safety, network reliability, competition, and the railroad workforce. Before a transaction of this magnitude is allowed to move forward, the railroads should be required to demonstrate that it will strengthen—not weaken—the safety and reliability of our nation’s rail system. BRS does not believe they have made that case,” said International President, Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen Michael Baldwin “The proposed $85 billion Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger is the largest railroad merger in history and one of the largest recent corporate consolidations in memory. This merger will have profound impacts on every railroad worker across the railroad industry, including the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED-IBT) members that construction, maintain, repair, and inspect our nation’s railroad tracks, bridges, catenary and other railroad structures. The letter sent to the Surface Transportation Board today by more than 100 Members of Congress highlights important labor considerations and concerns that must be carefully contemplated and satisfied by the Surface Transportation Board when it analyzes the proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger. To date, Union Pacific has not made the labor commitments necessary to protect our membership and we will ask the STB to ensure that our members are protected. We want to thank Congresswoman Val Hoyle for leading this letter and her continued steadfast support for rail labor and our union and all the House members that signed this letter,” said Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division (BMWED-IBT) President Tony Cardwell “We have seen what railroad mergers and consolidation have done to workers, customers, and communities. The proposed Union Pacific acquisition of Norfolk Southern would create the largest railroad in the country, but bigger does not mean better. These two railroads do not need to merge, and Union Pacific has not shown that this deal is in the public interest. BLET and BMWED did not rush to judgment. We were the first two rail unions to meet with UP CEO Jim Vena after the announcement, and we listened with an open mind. What we heard did not answer our concerns about jobs, service, safety, or the communities that depend on these railroads. UP calls its offer ‘Jobs for Life,’ but a slogan is not job protection. Their promise does not protect the jobs that exist today. It allows jobs to disappear through attrition, and it can force workers to move hundreds of miles or accept whatever work the company makes available. That may protect a person from the word ‘furlough,’ but it does not protect that worker’s job, home, or family. We have already seen the results of doing more with fewer people: limited personal leave, tighter attendance policies, fewer vacation opportunities, and increased discipline aimed at removing employees. If this merger is paid for by eliminating jobs and placing even more work on those who remain, the jobs left will not be the kind of jobs anyone would embrace for a lifetime. The Surface Transportation Board must look past the slogans and examine what this acquisition would actually mean for farmers, businesses, workers, rail service, safety, and the communities this massive railroad could choose to serve—or abandon. We thank Representative Val Hoyle for leading this letter and for standing with railroad workers and the customers who depend on reliable rail service. We also thank every member of Congress who signed it and called on the STB to closely examine the real consequences of the proposed UP-NS acquisition,” said Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen (BLET-IBT) National President and Teamsters Rail Conference President Mark Wallace Full text of the letter can be found by clicking here . ### Print Email Share Tweet