Kenneth W. Cooper

In potential rail merger news, there is an article in TrainsOnline about how the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has joined several rail labor organizations opposing the proposed Union-Pacific-Norfolk southern merger.

IBEW International President Kenneth W. Cooper said previous railroad consolidations have placed significant burdens on employees and argued that Union Pacific failed to provide meaningful commitments on issues including craft jurisdiction, forced relocations, subcontracting, and workforce stability.

IBEW represents more than 10,000 workers involved in locomotive, communications, and train control electrical systems.

Rail labor remains divided on the transaction.