The American Train Dispatchers Association and Union Pacific Railroad Reach Agreement to Protect Union Jobs for Life

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OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Apr 2, 2026--

The American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) and Union Pacific Railroad reached an agreement that guarantees jobs for life for union employees after Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern combine to create America’s first single-line, coast-to-coast railroad.

The ATDA is the latest union to reach this historic agreement with Union Pacific that ensures employees who are employed at the time of the merger will have job security for life, subject to the usual requirements for continued employment.

“With Union Pacific guaranteeing our members work as ATDA Train Dispatchers for life, committing to the preservation of their right to their union work, and collaborating with us to maintain their stability, I now support their effort to merge with Norfolk Southern,” said American Train Dispatchers Association President L. Ed Dowell.

The ATDA is the sixth national union to reach an agreement with Union Pacific guaranteeing job protection for its members. The other unions include the industry’s largest, the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation workers – Transportation Division (SMART-TD), and National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO), Brotherhood of Railway Carmen (BRC), International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) and United Supervisors Council of America (USCA).

“We pledged from the first day we announced the merger that creating a seamless, transcontinental railroad will be good for our employees,” said Union Pacific Chief Executive Officer Jim Vena. “I want to thank ATDA; it was great working with them to move forward on a deal that supports our employees. This unprecedented jobs-for-life agreement underscores that commitment and confidence in the benefits of the merger for our nation, our workforce and our customers.”

To learn more about the merger, visit AmericasGreatConnection.com.

ABOUT UNION PACIFIC

Union Pacific (NYSE: UNP) delivers the goods families and businesses use every day with safe, reliable and efficient service. Operating in 23 western states, the company connects its customers and communities to the global economy. Trains are the most environmentally responsible way to move freight, helping Union Pacific protect future generations. More information about Union Pacific is available at www.up.com.

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CONTACT: Union Pacific Media Contact:Robynn Tysver at 402-544-6037 [email protected]

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KEYWORD: NEBRASKA UNITED STATES NORTH AMERICA

INDUSTRY KEYWORD: OTHER TRANSPORT HUMAN RESOURCES WOMEN RAIL TRANSPORT MEN PROFESSIONAL SERVICES CONSUMER LOGISTICS/SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

SOURCE: Union Pacific

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PUB: 04/02/2026 03:00 PM/DISC: 04/02/2026 03:00 PM

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