09:04 AM EST, 12/17/2025 (MT Newswires) -- (Updates with Union Pacific's ( UNP ) response in the fifth paragraph.)

Union Pacific ( UNP ) and Norfolk Southern's ( NSC ) proposed $85 billion merger will be opposed by two of the biggest unions representing their rail workers, the Associated Press reported Tuesday, citing labor leaders.

The Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen and the Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division plan to announce their opposition Wednesday, joining the American Chemistry Council and railroad BNSF in opposing the merger over competition worries, the report said.

The two unions worry the merger could increase safety risks, shipping rates, and consumer prices, the report said.

But the deal has picked up the support of a rail union that represents conductors and the White House, the report said.

Union Pacific ( UNP ) said in reply to an inquiry by MT Newswires that the deal protects the interests of union members by incorporating a jobs-for-life agreement with five unions.

"The growth opportunities created by this end-to-end merger enabled Union Pacific ( UNP ) and Norfolk Southern ( NSC ) to make a pledge that is unprecedented in railroad history: Every employee with a union job at the time of the merger will continue to have one," the company said.

Norfolk Southern ( NSC ) and the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen did not reply to MT Newswires' request for comment. The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division could not be reached for comment.

(Market Chatter news is derived from conversations with market professionals globally. This information is believed to be from reliable sources but may include rumor and speculation. Accuracy is not guaranteed.)