Ancora Gains Backing of MOW Union

A Cleveland-based investment group seeking to take control of Norfolk Southern has landed the support of one of the railroad’s labor unions.

The Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters said it supports board of director candidates advanced by Ancora Holdings as well as its proposed management team.

The union said in a statement that NS needs a change in leadership.

Union leaders said they have not been unable to get a commitment from the current NS management that any policy and procedural changes will be made that the union supports in the wake of a February 2023 derailment in East Palestine, Ohio, that spilled hazardous substances.

The support of the maintenance workers union is unusual because most of the unions representing NS workers are backing the current management.

It also is a turnabout from a Feb. 22 post on the maintenance workers union website that characterized Ancora as trying to enrich itself at the expense of employees, shippers, and the public.

The AFL-CIO, Transportation Trades Department, Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen, and, the Brotherhood of Railroad Signalmen are supporting the current NS management.

NS shareholders will vote on competing slates of candidates for the NS board of directors in early May.

Tags: Ancora Holdings, Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees Division, Norfolk Southern, proxy fight