IBEW declares opposition to UP-NS merger

The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) has stated its opposition to the proposed Union Pacific Railroad-Norfolk Southern Railway merger following unsuccessful conversations with UP about worker protections.

"The IBEW engaged Union Pacific in good-faith discussions designed to protect IBEW members, preserve craft jurisdiction, prevent forced relocations, address contracting and subcontracting and provide stability for workers who have dedicated their careers to the railroad industry," IBEW officials said in a statement, adding that UP "declined to make meaningful commitments," on significant issues.

The union represents more than 10,000 members who install, maintain, inspect and repair electrical aspects of the U.S. railroad industry, including locomotives, communication networks, train control technology and other infrastructure. IBEW raised concerns about merger-related consolidations in maintenance operations, which could result in employees being furloughed or forced to relocate and take heavier workloads across larger territories, IBEW officials said.

IBEW is among the last rail labor organizations to take a formal position on the merger. It joins six other rail labor unions — BLET, BMWED, BRS, IAM, TCU/IAM and TWU — in opposing the merger.

"The burden of railroad consolidations has always fallen on the employees who keep the industry running,” said IBEW International President Kenneth Cooper. “Assurances that this merger will be different are unconvincing."