The nation’s largest railroad and its largest rail union announced an unprecedented agreement that both sides said guarantees job security for thousands of workers as Union Pacific pursues a merger with Norfolk Southern.
According to a release, he deal between Union Pacific and the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers – Transportation Division ensures lifetime job protection for members in train and yardmaster service, provided they meet normal employment requirements. The railroad pledged that no involuntary furloughs would result from the merger.
Union officials said that the protections will reduce disruptions for shippers and enhance customer service. SMART-TD has formally endorsed the merger and will support it in proceedings before the Surface Transportation Board.
In addition to career-long job security, the agreement provides preferential hiring for affected terminal employees and a framework for cooperative implementation. Both sides framed the pact as a model for protecting workers while advancing the freight rail industry.
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