In August of 2025, Railroad Workers United launched our Campaign Against Railroad Mega-Mergers. Based upon the previous failures and debacles in the past three decades, and the overwhelming opposition to rail mergers by working railroaders from all crafts, unions, and carriers, RWU has taken a principled stand against the proposed UP-NS merger. All railroad workers and allies are encouraged to get involved. The proposal was officially submitted to the Surface Transportation Board (STB) on 12/19/25. The Board will spend the coming months reviewing the proposal. We plan to mount a mass opposition of railroad workers, unions, community groups, shippers, passenger rail advocates, rail carriers, and others to defeat this monopolization of our industry.

The nationwide passenger rail network in the U.S. - Amtrak - has been under near constant attack since launched in 1971. Designed to relieve the Class One privately held railroads of the burden of operating passenger trains, those corporations now are miserable “hosts,” chronically delaying Amtrak’s trains and opposing new routes and frequencies, despite the huge public demand for passenger rail. In the Spring of 2025, elements in the U.S. government began calling for Amtrak’s privatization. We know this would be the beginning of the end for passenger rail in the U.S. It is in the interest of ALL railroad workers to preserve and protect Amtrak. Get involved! See the RWU Resolution on Amtrak and get your stickers, buttons and bumper stickers today!

As America grapples with the everlasting impacts of the derailment in East Palestine, OH., Public Rail Now (PRN) and Railroad Workers United (RWU) released this important 2024 Report entitled "Putting America Back on Track: The Case for a 21st Century Public Rail System." Authored by Maddock Thomas, a Stone Fellow from Brown University and recipient of the North American Rail Shippers Association scholarship, this report presents a compelling argument for transitioning the rail system in the United States to public ownership. Drawing on historical precedent and rigorous analysis, it makes a compelling case for overseeing the nation’s rail network in the same manner as our other transport infrastructure - publicly.

Numerous programs that benefit working people - including railroad workers - have come under attack this past year including Social Security, Medicare, and Railroad Retirement. Railroad workers must rally to preserve and protect our hard-won and paid for benefits. RWU urges all working and retired railroad workers AND family members to Join NARVRE - the National Association of Retired and Veteran Railway Employees, as well as to Join RWU. And get your stickers, buttons and bumper stickers today! Get involved in the defense of the Railroad Retirement System!

This grant-funded Study commissioned by the Railroad Workers Education & Legal Defense Foundation (RWF) in 2024 lays bare the economic reality of the state of the current U.S. rail system — facts working railroaders have been espousing for decades. Public rail ownership has the potential to save up to $140 billion annually for U.S. consumers, provide an estimated 180,000 new rail road jobs, and avert $190 billion in public health, environmental, and fiscal costs while helping to meet climate goals by avoiding 180 metric tonnes of carbon emissions.

At the RWU Store you can order a full line of RWU merchandise - including T-shirts, hats, stickers, buttons, patches, posters, books, and more. Great stuff to show off at work, share with your co-workers, and to give as gifts. All proceeds from the sale of RWU merch go to building Railroad Workers United. RWU members in good standing can get a discount of 25% on most items. To get your “Members Only” Discount Code, go to the Members Area of this website or call us at 202-798-3327. NOTE: You must be enrolled as a member in good standing to obtain the code and the discount.