By Sabrina Valle (Reuters) -The largest U.S. railroad union said Monday it will support Union Pacific's $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern, helping to advance a deal that surprised competitors and had been expected to face resistance from labor and regulators. The endorsement marks a shift from the initial opposition by SMART-TD, the transportation division of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers. When the merger was announced in July, the union said ...

Core Viewpoint - The largest railroad union in the United States, SMART, has expressed support for Union Pacific's proposed $85 billion merger with Norfolk Southern after obtaining job protection guarantees for its members [1] Group 1: Union Support - SMART's backing of the merger indicates a significant endorsement from a major labor organization, which could influence regulatory approval [1] - The job protection guarantees secured by SMART are crucial for alleviating concerns among union members regarding potential job losses resulting from the merger [1] Group 2: Merger Details - The proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern is valued at $85 billion, highlighting the scale of the transaction within the railroad industry [1] - This merger could reshape the competitive landscape of the railroad sector, potentially leading to increased efficiency and service improvements [1]

Group 1 - President Trump supports Union Pacific's (UNP.US) proposed $72 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern (NSC.US), currently awaiting regulatory approval [1] - The acquisition aims to create a giant railroad company spanning the continental United States, connecting Union Pacific's western network with Norfolk Southern's eastern routes [2] - The deal's valuation is approximately $85 billion based on enterprise value, with plans to complete the transaction by early 2027 [2] Group 2 - The U.S. Surface Transportation Board is evaluating the merger, which must demonstrate public interest and promote market competition, as railroad mergers face stricter regulatory scrutiny than other industries [2] - Earlier this month, Union Pacific's CEO Jim Vena engaged in discussions with Trump and senior government officials to facilitate regulatory approval for the merger [1]

Group 1 - The proposed merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern is valued at $85 billion [1] - U.S. President Donald Trump expressed support for the merger, stating it "sounds good to me" [1]

Core Viewpoint - Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have launched a new domestic intermodal service to enhance competition among Class I railroads and support economic growth in the U.S. [1][4] Group 1: Service Details - The new service is set to launch in mid-October and aims to provide truck-competitive transit times across various sectors, including automotive, consumer goods, food and beverage, healthcare, and manufacturing [2]. - The bi-directional service will operate from the Louisville market, interchanging between NS and UP in Kansas City, with destinations including Los Angeles, Seattle, Portland, Salt Lake City, and Houston [3]. Group 2: Strategic Importance - This initiative is part of a broader strategy by Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern to develop innovative interline service products, which also includes freight movement from Los Angeles to Charlotte and Jacksonville [4]. - The service enhancements are designed to meet customer demands for reliable freight solutions and to alleviate congestion on highways by providing competitive alternatives to truck transport [5]. Group 3: Infrastructure Investments - Union Pacific has invested $1.4 billion since 2021 to upgrade intermodal services, including the opening of four new terminals and modernization of 12 others [6]. - Norfolk Southern is also expanding its Louisville hub to increase parking and track capacity for domestic services, reflecting a commitment to customer feedback and strategic infrastructure planning [6]. Group 4: Operational Efficiency - Recent changes in Union Pacific's network operations have enabled domestic containers to move 25% faster, resulting in a potential savings of up to 25 hours in transit time between Southern California and Kansas City Intermodal Terminal [5].

Core Viewpoint - Union Pacific Corp is pursuing an $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern Corp, which was discussed in a meeting between CEO Jim Vena and U.S. President Donald Trump [1] Group 1 - The proposed buyout amount is $85 billion, indicating a significant investment in the railroad industry [1] - The meeting with President Trump highlights the strategic importance of this acquisition for Union Pacific Corp [1]

Group 1 - Union Pacific Corp. is pursuing a $72 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern Corp. and is seeking regulatory approval for the deal [1][4] - The CEO of Union Pacific, Jim Vena, discussed the merger with President Trump, emphasizing its potential benefits for US competition, consumers, and job protection for unionized workers [1][2] - The merger aims to create a coast-to-coast freight rail network, capturing freight volume from the trucking industry [2] Group 2 - The merger is subject to review by the US Surface Transportation Board, which requires that rail mergers demonstrate public interest and enhanced competition [4] - The companies plan to complete the merger by early 2027, valuing the agreement at approximately $85 billion on an enterprise basis [4] - Following the meeting between Vena and Trump, Norfolk Southern's shares rose slightly, while Union Pacific's shares experienced a minor decline [3]

Group 1 - Union Pacific Corp. is proposing a $72 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern Corp. [2] - CEO Jim Vena discussed the acquisition's impact with President Donald Trump at the White House [2] - Reports indicate that the meeting between Union Pacific and President Trump went well [2]

Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena said on Wednesday he was confident that the railroad operator would receive a merger approval from the U.S. administration over its deal with Norfolk Southern. ...

Group 1 - Norfolk Southern is currently considered one of the most challenging stocks in the transportation sector and possibly across all cyclicals [1] - Mark George, the CEO of Norfolk Southern, recently celebrated his one-year anniversary in the role [2]