Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern merger faces pushback from signalmen's union

Dec 22 (Reuters) - A ⁠rail workers' ⁠union ‍on Monday opposed Union Pacific's proposed $85 billion acquisition of Norfolk Southern, warning that the ‍deal could undermine safety and impact the workforce.

The ​Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen (BRS), which represents about 3,000 members at ​both companies, said it would continue to engage in the regulatory process and submit formal comments to the U.S. Surface ​Transportation Board.

BRS President Mike Baldwin said the merger was about expanding corporate power, and not about ​strengthening the rail network, as it shifts the risk onto workers, communities, ‌and the public.

"The rail industry has been down this road before, and the results ​were disruptive, dangerous, and costly."

The ⁠proposed merger aimed at forming the country's first coast-to-coast railroad has faced criticism ‌from unions and rival railroads since its announcement. The Teamsters union, representing nearly 20,000 workers, also opposed the merger ‌last week.

"Every employee with a union job at the time ‌of the merger will continue to have one," Union Pacific told Reuters in an emailed statement.

Last week, the two U.S. ‍rail operators filed a nearly 7,000‑page merger application with the STB, kicking off ⁠the deal's regulatory review. The two companies have said the deal would allow for faster shipping by cutting handoffs and reducing delays.

(Reporting by Anshuman Tripathy in Bengaluru; Editing by Leroy Leo)

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