Labor Secretary Tours UP Amid Transcontinental Merger Push

OMAHA, NE – U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer visited Union Pacific’s (UP) advanced training and operations centers, highlighting the railroad’s workforce development initiatives amid its landmark proposal with Norfolk Southern (NS) to create the nation’s first single-line transcontinental railroad. The visit, a key stop on the Secretary’s 50-state “America at Work” listening tour, comes as the Surface Transportation Board (STB) reviews the historic merger application submitted by the two Class I railroads in December 2025.

Main Body:

As part of a nationwide initiative to gather insights on job creation and workforce development, U.S. Labor Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer toured Union Pacific’s Omaha headquarters. The visit focused on the railroad’s investment in its employees, showcasing the training programs and operational hubs that underpin its vast network. “Union Pacific is helping power our economy by investing in the skilled workforce that keeps our supply chains moving,” stated Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, commending the railroad’s commitment during her tour.

The tour provided a firsthand look at UP’s state-of-the-art Training Center and the renowned Harriman Dispatching Center, the nerve center for the railroad’s extensive operations. These facilities are central to developing the highly skilled workforce required to manage modern rail logistics, from conductors and engineers to dispatchers and technicians. The railroad emphasized that these training capabilities are crucial for integrating new employees and upskilling existing staff, a key factor in its projections for workforce growth.

This high-profile visit is set against the backdrop of the proposed mega-merger between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern. Filed with the STB in late 2025, the combination would create a seamless rail network spanning the continent. Union Pacific is actively promoting the merger’s potential benefits, asserting that the creation of the nation’s first transcontinental railroad would lead to the creation of new union jobs and enhance supply chain resiliency. “It is an honor to be a part of Secretary Chavez-DeRemer’s impressive nationwide tour and to talk about growing and developing America’s workforce,” said Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena, framing the visit as an opportunity to highlight the company’s growth-oriented vision.

Key Takeaways

• The Labor Secretary’s visit places a national spotlight on the rail industry’s role in workforce development and economic stability.
• Union Pacific is strategically positioning its proposed merger with Norfolk Southern as a catalyst for American job growth, specifically for union labor.
• The potential formation of the first U.S. transcontinental railroad represents a monumental shift in North American logistics, with significant implications for shippers and the broader supply chain.

Editor’s Analysis

This event is more than a routine cabinet member tour; it is a critical piece of strategic communication by Union Pacific. By hosting Secretary Chavez-DeRemer, UP is proactively shaping the narrative around its transformational, yet potentially contentious, merger with Norfolk Southern. The focus is deliberately shifted from antitrust concerns and operational complexities to a more palatable message of investment, American jobs, and strengthening the national supply chain. This move aims to build political goodwill and public support as the STB begins its rigorous review of a merger that would redraw the map of the U.S. rail industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did the U.S. Labor Secretary visit Union Pacific?

The visit was a stop on Secretary Lori Chavez-DeRemer’s 50-state “America at Work” listening tour, designed to gather insights on workforce development and job creation. Union Pacific showcased its employee training programs and operational centers.

What is the significance of the proposed Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern merger?

If approved by the Surface Transportation Board, the merger would create the first single-line transcontinental railroad in the United States. Union Pacific claims this will enhance supply chain efficiency and lead to the creation of new union jobs.

Where did the visit take place?

The tour was conducted at Union Pacific’s state-of-the-art Training Center and the Harriman Dispatching Center, both located at the company’s headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska.