Norfolk Southern Stock Price, News & Analysis

BNSF Railway, in partnership with Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC), has reached tentative five-year collective bargaining agreements with The International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) and The National Conference of Firemen and Oilers (NCFO). This announcement comes four months before the next collective bargaining round, covering 17% of BNSF's union-represented workforce.

The agreements include:

• A 3.5% average annual wage increase over five years
• More vacation time earlier in employees' careers
• Enhancements to health care benefits

This move demonstrates BNSF's commitment to employee well-being and collaborative labor relations, potentially setting a new standard for future negotiations in the railroad industry.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) has announced tentative five-year collective bargaining agreements with five additional labor unions, bringing the total to nine agreements covering approximately 55% of the company's unionized workforce. These agreements, reached four months before the next bargaining round, offer:

- 3.5% average annual wage increase over five years
- More vacation time earlier in careers
- Enhanced health care benefits

The agreements demonstrate Norfolk Southern's commitment to improving conditions for its craft railroaders. CEO Alan H. Shaw emphasized the company's dedication to supporting employees with fair compensation and benefits. Union leaders praised the proactive approach and collaborative spirit in reaching these agreements.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) has reached tentative five-year collective bargaining agreements with four labor unions, covering approximately 30% of its union workforce. The agreements, subject to ratification, come four months before the next bargaining round, offering early assurances on future improvements to pay, health care, and vacation.

Key points:

• 3.5% average wage increase per year over five years
• More vacation earlier in careers
• Enhancements to health care benefits

The agreements involve the Brotherhood of Railway Carmen Division/TCU, SMART-MD, TCU/IAM, and multiple General Committees for SMART-TD. This early agreement aims to provide certainty and peace of mind for covered employees regarding upcoming improvements.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) has promoted Jason A. Zampi to Senior Vice President Finance & Treasurer. In this new role, Zampi will maintain responsibility for financial planning and analysis while also taking on treasury and investor relations duties. He will continue to report to Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer Mark George.

Zampi, who joined Norfolk Southern in 2011, has played a important role in establishing the company's financial planning and analysis function. His collaboration across the company has supported key business decisions to advance Norfolk Southern's balanced strategy. Prior to this promotion, Zampi served in various leadership roles within the finance and accounting organizations, including vice president and controller.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) has appointed three industry veterans with precision scheduled railroading (PSR) experience to lead its Transportation team. Tim Livingston joins as Senior Vice President Transportation and Network Operations, with Rodney Moore as Vice President Transportation for the Northern region and Dewayne Swindall as Vice President Transportation for the Southern region. This new leadership structure aims to accelerate operational improvements and place leaders closer to field operations.

The appointments are part of Norfolk Southern's efforts to become the gold standard of safety and execute its operational plan with excellence. Each leader brings extensive operational expertise and a proven track record in implementing effective PSR strategies to improve operating ratio and foster collaboration.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) has appointed Anil Bhatt as executive vice president and chief information and digital officer, effective August 19, 2024. Bhatt, a recognized technology leader, will report to President and CEO Alan Shaw. His role will focus on advancing the company's transformative, balanced strategy through technology and innovation.

Bhatt brings 28 years of experience in technology innovation and transformation, most recently serving as global chief information officer at Elevance Health. He will work closely with the executive team to enhance customer service, safety, operational productivity, and efficiency through technological solutions. Norfolk Southern's current tech initiatives include machine vision, AI-powered dispatch tools, and real-time data delivery to customers.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) and the American Train Dispatchers Association (ATDA) have announced their participation in the Federal Railroad Administration's (FRA) Confidential Close Call Reporting System (C3RS) pilot program. This one-year initiative allows Norfolk Southern dispatchers to report safety concerns without fear of disciplinary action. Reports are de-identified by NASA and reviewed by a joint committee of NS, ATDA, and FRA representatives to recommend corrective actions.

This program follows Norfolk Southern's January 2024 pilot with other unions and is part of their commitment to becoming the gold standard of safety in the rail industry. The C3RS pilot aims to enhance communication, transparency, and safety in railroad operations. Key goals include collecting unreported unsafe practices, implementing corrective actions, and sharing safety trends.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) is investing over $200 million to enhance capacity on the 3B Corridor in Alabama, connecting northern and central Alabama to the Port of Mobile. This strategic investment aims to accommodate growth in various sectors, positioning the Southeast as an economic powerhouse. The project includes terminal and track-based infrastructure improvements, with expected immediate returns starting in 2025.

The 3B Corridor serves critical industries like agriculture, automotive, chemicals, forestry, and steel. Norfolk Southern is collaborating with customers, including a high-volume met coal producer and Packaging of America, to maximize opportunities and enhance efficiencies. These investments are expected to boost Alabama's economic competitiveness and strengthen the nation's supply chain.

Norfolk Southern (NYSE: NSC) has announced the return of its Thoroughbred Scholars program, awarding over 100 college scholarships to children of its employees. The program offers 100 scholarships of up to $10,000 over four years, plus three distinguished scholarships of up to $40,000 over four years. Since 2022, the program has awarded over $1.4 million in scholarship funding.

This year's recipients come from 19 states across Norfolk Southern's network, with 90 scholarships reserved for children of field employees. The company also awarded three special scholarships for HBCU, STEM, and Community scholars. The program is independently administered by Scholarship America.