A broad cross section of the U.S. economy is united to oppose the Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern rail merger and prevent this costly deal from driving up prices for consumers, weakening the workforce and hurting the nation's supply chain.
Union Pacific (UP) and Norfolk Southern (NS) have filed a merger application with the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to create a transcontinental monster railroad that will block access to competitive rail service. The STB is the only agency standing between this merger and lasting harm to U.S. freight transportation and competition.
The proposed UP–NS merger would create an unprecedented concentration of power in America's freight rail system by giving one railroad control over almost half of U.S. rail traffic — threatening competition, affordability, and the supply chains that American businesses and workers depend on.
The merger would reduce the number of Class I railroads and eliminate competitive options for a broad swath of the U.S. economy, including agriculture, energy, and manufacturing.
Less competition means higher shipping rates — costs that are ultimately passed on to consumers and threaten the competitiveness of American made goods.
Nearly three-quarters of Americans oppose the merger after learning about its impacts. That concern is echoed by more than 100 state and federal policymakers, attorneys general, and agriculture secretaries who are urging the Administration to hit the brakes.
Union Pacific has a long record of cutting jobs after previous mergers, and it continues to reduce its workforce. A UP–NS merger would put even more skilled railroad positions that keep freight moving safely and support America's economy at risk.
Consolidation reduces the resiliency, service quality, and flexibility in the freight network, creating weak links that can lead to breakdowns in the nation's supply chain.
The merger fails to meet the STB's requirement that rail mergers must enhance rail-to-rail competition. The Union Pacific and Southern Pacific merger in 1996 led to chaos, which led the Board to place a moratorium on mergers and put new guardrails in place to prevent future mergers from crashing the economy.
Competition is essential to economic strength. When railroads compete, our country benefits from better service, lower costs, and more resilient supply chains—which power growth and job creation.
America needs more railroads competing—not less. Competition between rail carriers lowers costs for farmers, manufacturers, and energy producers, helping U.S. industry grow, create jobs, and lead global markets. When railroads compete – America wins.
Strong U.S. supply chains depend on competitive, reliable freight rail. More rail options mean fewer chokepoints, faster recovery from disruptions, and a transportation network resilient enough to support American industry, workers, and national defense.
The Stop the Rail Merger Coalition represents a diverse cross-section of the American economy, including agriculture, manufacturing, energy, labor and transportation stakeholders— all united in opposition to this harmful rail merger.
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