Norfolk Southern (NSC) OKs One-Time Executive Retention Awards

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP filed an Form 8-K reporting that it approved one-time cash retention awards for its named executive officers under its previously established Transaction Bonus Program.

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP filed an Form 8-K reporting that it approved one-time cash retention awards for its named executive officers under its previously established Transaction Bonus Program. The filing references a Form of Retention Bonus Agreement and notes that cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. The company provides links and mailing addresses to access SEC filings on Norfolk Southern's investor website and names Jeremy Ballard as Corporate Secretary with a signature date of September 29, 2025. The filing does not disclose award amounts, recipients by name beyond the class "named executive officers," or specific payment terms.

Positive

• One-time cash retention awards were authorized for Norfolk Southern's named executive officers under the Transaction Bonus Program
• The filing makes related documents available via Norfolk Southern's investor website and provides a clear contact (Corporate Secretary) for requests

Negative

• None.

Insights

Corporate Governance Analyst

8-K discloses retention awards to executives without amounts or terms.

The filing confirms Norfolk Southern granted one-time cash retention awards to its named executive officers under its Transaction Bonus Program, which signals management intent to retain leadership during a transaction-related period.

Because the filing omits award amounts, individual recipients, and payment conditions, investors cannot assess the financial impact or alignment with shareholder interests from this disclosure alone.

8-K Event Classification

2 items: 5.02, 9.01

2 items

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers Governance

Key personnel changes including departures, elections, or appointments of directors and executive officers.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits Exhibits

Financial statements, pro forma financial information, or exhibit attachments filed with this report.

FAQ

AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

What did Norfolk Southern (NSC) report in its Form 8-K?

NSC reported authorization of one-time cash retention awards for its named executive officers under the Transaction Bonus Program and referenced a Form of Retention Bonus Agreement.

When was the Form 8-K signed for Norfolk Southern (NSC)?

The document lists Jeremy Ballard, Corporate Secretary, and is dated September 29, 2025.

Are the award amounts or recipients disclosed in the filing?

No. The filing does not disclose award amounts or identify individual executive recipients beyond the term "named executive officers".

Where can I access the related retention agreement or SEC filings?

Norfolk Southern directs readers to its investor website at https://norfolksouthern.investorroom.com/sec-filings or to request documents from the Corporate Secretary at the provided mailing address.

Does the filing include Inline XBRL or other machine-readable tags?

Yes. The filing references embedded cover page XBRL tags within the Inline XBRL document.

AI-generated analysis. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.

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Accepted by SEC EDGAR 09/29/2025 - 05:00 PM EDT Learn about SEC filing dates

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORP false 0000702165 0000702165 2025-09-23 2025-09-23

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

September 23, 2025

NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

Virginia		1-8339		52-1188014
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

650 West Peachtree Street NW

Atlanta, Georgia

30308-1925

(Address of principal executive offices, including zip code)

(855) 667-3655

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

No Change

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☒ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Trading Symbol		Name of each exchange on which registered
Norfolk Southern Corporation Common Stock (Par Value $1.00)		NSC		New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02. Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

On September 23, 2025, the Compensation and Talent Management Committee (the “Committee”) of the Board of Directors of Norfolk Southern Corporation (“Norfolk Southern”) approved the grant of one-time cash retention awards (each, an “Award”) to each of Norfolk Southern’s named executive officers pursuant to Norfolk Southern’s previously established transaction bonus program (the “Transaction Bonus Program”) on the terms described below.

The Transaction Bonus Program was adopted by Norfolk Southern on July 28, 2025, concurrently with the approval of the Agreement and Plan of Merger by and among Norfolk Southern, Union Pacific Corporation (“Union Pacific”), Ruby Merger Sub 1 Corporation and Ruby Merger Sub 2 LLC (the “Merger Agreement”, and the transactions contemplated therein, the “Merger”), because the Board of Directors of Norfolk Southern recognized that the announcement of the Merger and the uncertainty inherent in the transaction process created heightened retention risk among Norfolk Southern’s executive team. In approving the Awards, the Committee determined that the Awards were necessary and appropriate to promote stability, maintain continuity of leadership and incentivize Norfolk Southern’s named executive officers to remain focused on Norfolk Southern’s business and the successful completion of the Merger for the benefit of Norfolk Southern’s stockholders.

Each Award is governed by a retention bonus agreement between Norfolk Southern and the applicable named executive officer. The Awards were granted to Norfolk Southern’s named executive officers in the following amounts: Mark R. George—$4,000,000; Jason A. Zampi—$2,250,000; John F. Orr—$3,000,000; Claude E. Elkins—$2,000,000; and Anil Bhatt—$2,000,000. Each Award will vest in three installments, subject to the named executive officer’s continued employment through the applicable vesting date, as follows: 25% of the Award will vest on each of April 28, 2026 and January 28, 2027, and 50% of the Award will vest upon the consummation of the Merger (the “Closing”). Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a named executive officer experiences (i) a termination of employment without “cause” prior to the Closing or (ii) a “Termination” as defined in the named executive officer’s Change in Control Agreement with Norfolk Southern on or after the Closing, then, in either case, the portion of the Award associated with the next vesting date (if any) will immediately vest upon such termination of employment.

The foregoing description of the Awards is qualified in its entirety by reference to the form of retention bonus agreement included as Exhibit 10.1 to this current report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d) Exhibits

Exhibit No.		Description of Exhibit
10.1		Form of Retention Bonus Agreement
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File - the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document

NO OFFER OR SOLICITATION

This communication is for informational purposes only and does not constitute, or form a part of, an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote or approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and otherwise in accordance with applicable law.

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements in this communication are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements relate to future events or future financial performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause Union Pacific’s, Norfolk Southern’s or the combined company’s actual results, levels of activity, performance, or achievements or those of the railroad industry to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like “may,” “will,” “could,” “would,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “project,” “estimate,” “intend,” “plan,” “pro forma,” or any variations or other comparable terminology.

While Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern have based these forward-looking statements on those expectations, assumptions, estimates, beliefs and projections they view as reasonable, such forward-looking statements are only predictions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond Union Pacific’s, Norfolk Southern’s or the combined company’s control, including but not limited to, in addition to factors disclosed in Union Pacific’s and Norfolk Southern’s respective filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”): the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstance that could give rise to the right of one or both of the parties to terminate the definitive merger agreement between Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern providing for the acquisition of Norfolk Southern by Union Pacific (the “Transaction”); the risk that potential legal proceedings may be instituted against Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern and result in significant costs of defense, indemnification or liability; the possibility that the Transaction does not close when expected or at all because required Surface Transportation Board, shareholder or other approvals and other conditions to closing are not received or satisfied on a timely basis or at all (and the risk that such approvals may result in the imposition of conditions that could adversely affect the combined company or the expected benefits of the Transaction); the risk that the combined company will not realize expected benefits, cost savings, accretion, synergies and/or growth from the Transaction, or that such benefits may take longer to realize or be more costly to achieve than expected, including as a result of changes in, or problems arising from, general economic and market conditions, tariffs, interest and exchange rates, monetary policy, laws and regulations and their enforcement, and the degree of competition in the geographic and business areas in which Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern operate; disruption to the parties’ businesses as a result of the announcement and pendency of the Transaction; the costs associated with the anticipated length of time of the pendency of the Transaction, including the restrictions contained in the definitive merger agreement on the ability of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern, respectively, to operate their respective businesses outside the ordinary course during the pendency of the Transaction; the diversion of Union Pacific’s and Norfolk Southern’s management’s attention and time from ongoing business operations and opportunities on merger-related matters; the risk that the integration of each party’s operations will be materially delayed or will be more costly or difficult than expected or that the parties are otherwise unable to successfully integrate each party’s businesses into the other’s businesses; the possibility that the Transaction may be more expensive to complete than anticipated, including as a result of unexpected factors or events; reputational risk and potential adverse

reactions of Union Pacific’s or Norfolk Southern’s customers, suppliers, employees, labor unions or other business partners, including those resulting from the announcement or completion of the Transaction; the dilution caused by Union Pacific’s issuance of additional shares of its common stock in connection with the consummation of the Transaction; the risk of a downgrade of the credit rating of Union Pacific’s indebtedness, which could give rise to an obligation to redeem existing indebtedness; a material adverse change in the financial condition of Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern or the combined company; changes in domestic or international economic, political or business conditions, including those impacting the transportation industry (including customers, employees and supply chains); Union Pacific’s, Norfolk Southern’s and the combined company’s ability to successfully implement its respective operational, productivity, and strategic initiatives; a significant adverse event on Union Pacific’s or Norfolk Southern’s network, including, but not limited to, a mainline accident, discharge of hazardous materials, or climate-related or other network outage; the outcome of claims, litigation, governmental proceedings and investigations involving Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern, including, in the case of Norfolk Southern, those with respect to the Eastern Ohio incident; the nature and extent of Norfolk Southern’s environmental remediation obligations with respect to the Eastern Ohio incident; new or additional governmental regulation and/or operational changes resulting from or related to the Eastern Ohio incident; and a cybersecurity incident or other disruption to our technology infrastructure.

This list of important factors is not intended to be exhaustive. These and other important factors, including those discussed under “Risk Factors” in Norfolk Southern’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 (available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000702165/000070216525000008/nsc-20241231.htm) and Norfolk Southern’s subsequent filings with the SEC, Union Pacific’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, as filed with the SEC on February 7, 2025 (available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000100885/000010088525000042/unp-20241231.htm) (the “Union Pacific Annual Report”) and Union Pacific’s subsequent filings with the SEC, as well as the risks described in Union Pacific’s registration statement on Form S-4, as filed with the SEC on September 16, 2025 (available at https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/100885/000119312525204376/d908896ds4.htm) (the “Registration Statement”), may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. References to Union Pacific’s and Norfolk Southern’s website are provided for convenience and, therefore, information on or available through the website is not, and should not be deemed to be, incorporated by reference herein. The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date they were first issued, and unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable law or regulation.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE TRANSACTION AND WHERE TO FIND IT

In connection with the Transaction, Union Pacific filed the Registration Statement with the SEC, which includes a prospectus with respect to the shares of Union Pacific’s common stock to be issued in the Transaction and a joint proxy statement for Union Pacific’s and Norfolk Southern’s respective shareholders (the “Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus”). The definitive joint proxy statement will be mailed to shareholders of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern once declared effective. Each of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern may also file with or furnish to the SEC other relevant documents regarding the Transaction. This communication is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus or any other document that Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern may mail to their respective shareholders in connection with the Transaction.

INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS OF UNION PACIFIC AND NORFOLK SOUTHERN ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS INCLUDED WITHIN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT, AS WELL AS ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC IN CONNECTION WITH THE TRANSACTION OR INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE INTO THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT AND THE JOINT PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS (INCLUDING ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO), BECAUSE THEY CONTAIN OR WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING UNION PACIFIC, NORFOLK SOUTHERN, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS.

Investors and security holders of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern may obtain free copies of these documents and other documents filed with the SEC by Union Pacific or Norfolk Southern through the website maintained by the SEC at http://www.sec.gov or from Union Pacific at its website, https://investor.unionpacific.com/financials/sec-filings, or from Norfolk Southern at its website, https://norfolksouthern.investorroom.com/sec-filings. Documents filed with the SEC by Union Pacific will be available free of charge by accessing Union Pacific’s website at https://investor.unionpacific.com/financials/sec-filings, or alternatively by directing a request by mail to Union Pacific’s Corporate Secretary, 1400 Douglas Street, Omaha, Nebraska 68179, and documents filed with the SEC by Norfolk Southern will be available free of charge by accessing Norfolk Southern’s website at https://norfolksouthern.investorroom.com/sec-filings or, alternatively, by directing a request by mail to Norfolk Southern’s Corporate Secretary, 650 West Peachtree Street NW, Atlanta, Georgia 30308-1925.

PARTICIPANTS IN THE SOLICITATION

Union Pacific, Norfolk Southern and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies from the shareholders of Norfolk Southern and Union Pacific in connection with the Transaction under the rules of the SEC.

Information about the interests of the directors and executive officers of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern and other persons who may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of shareholders of Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern in connection with the Transaction and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is included in the Joint Proxy Statement/Prospectus, which was included in the Registration Statement filed with the SEC on September 16, 2025.

Information about the directors and executive officers of Union Pacific and their ownership of Union Pacific common stock can also be found in the Union Pacific Annual Report, and its definitive proxy statement in connection with its 2025 annual meeting of shareholders, as filed with the SEC on March 25, 2025 (the “Union Pacific 2025 Proxy Statement”) and other documents subsequently filed by Union Pacific with the SEC, which are available on its website at www.up.com. Information about the directors and executive officers of Union Pacific, their ownership of Union Pacific common stock, and Union Pacific’s transactions with related persons is set forth in in the sections entitled “Proposal Number 1 – Election of Directors—Directors/Nominees”, “Director Compensation in Fiscal Year 2024”, “Proposal Number 3 – Advisory Vote to Approve Executive Compensation”, “A Letter From Our Compensation and Talent Committee” and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” of the Union Pacific 2025 Proxy Statement. To the extent holdings of Union Pacific common stock by the directors and executive officers of Union Pacific have changed from the amounts of Union Pacific common stock held by such persons as reflected therein, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC, which are available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=100885&owner=exclude under the tab “Ownership Disclosures”.

Information about the directors and executive officers of Norfolk Southern and their ownership of Norfolk Southern common stock is also set forth in the definitive proxy statement for Norfolk Southern’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, as filed with the SEC on Schedule 14A on March 28, 2025 (which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000702165/000119312525066914/d892357ddef14a.htm), and other documents subsequently filed by Norfolk Southern with the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of Norfolk Southern, their ownership of Norfolk Southern common stock, and Norfolk Southern’s transactions with related persons is set forth in the sections entitled “Norfolk Southern Director Nominees”, “Corporate Governance and the Board—Item 1: Election of 13 Directors for a One-Year Term”, “Corporate Governance and the Board—Director Nominees”, “Corporate Governance and the Board—Compensation of Directors”, “Executive Compensation” and “Stock Ownership Information” of such definitive proxy statement. Please also refer to Norfolk Southern’s subsequent Current Report, as filed with the SEC on Form 8-K on June 3, 2025 (which is available at https://www.sec.gov/ix?doc=/Archives/edgar/data/0000702165/000119312525133796/d35291d8k.htm), regarding subsequent changes to Norfolk Southern’s Board of Directors following the filing of such definitive proxy statement. To the extent holdings of Norfolk Southern common stock by the directors and executive officers of Norfolk Southern have changed from the amounts of Norfolk Southern common stock held by such persons as reflected in the definitive proxy statement, such changes have been or will be reflected on Statements of Change in Ownership on Form 4 filed with the SEC, which are available at https://www.sec.gov/edgar/browse/?CIK=702165&owner=exclude under the tab “Ownership Disclosures”.

Free copies of these documents may be obtained as described above.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

SIGNATURES NORFOLK SOUTHERN CORPORATION (Registrant)
By:		/s/ Jeremy Ballard
Name:		Jeremy Ballard
Title:		Corporate Secretary
Date:		September 29, 2025