The UP-NS pitch to regulators is that the combined network would pull 2.1 million truckloads off highways annually. Plus: USPS signs a $10B+ deal with DHL, 20+ carriers go under in May, and Hub Group's CFO and COO are out.
The freight tech aisle has gone full AI. The ops floor has not. Here's what's actually moving the needle in 2026.
A viral X thread by @supertrucker exposed the concentration of trucking companies in California.
Plus: USDOT audits CDL oversight, truckers rally behind Trump’s emissions rollback, Amazon faces union pressure, and more in today’s newsletter.
Good Wednesday morning. The $85B Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger just turned into a tug-of-war. Labor unions are celebrating lifetime job guarantees, while shippers warn of higher rates and fewer options. Details in today's feature.
Plus,
📝 USDOT to Audit FMCSA CDL Oversight. The U.S. DOT’s Inspector General has opened an audit into FMCSA’s oversight of state CDL testing programs, citing safety concerns tied to inconsistent standards. The review will examine how states run knowledge and skills exams, including English-language requirements. Officials noted 4,909 fatalities in crashes involving large trucks and buses in 2024, underscoring the stakes. The audit follows threats to cut federal funds from states not enforcing English proficiency rules. A finding of weak oversight could bring tougher federal intervention, reshaping driver compliance and tightening availability at a time of heightened scrutiny across the trucking industry.
📦 Amazon Faces Union and NLRB Pressure. Amazon is facing labor pressure on two fronts. In California, NLRB prosecutors argued Amazon exerts “overwhelming control” over subcontracted drivers despite classifying them as contractors. They cited monitoring, wages, and mandatory training. Amazon rejected the claims as a “fishing expedition.” Meanwhile, the Teamsters are expanding at United Natural Foods Inc., a key Whole Foods distributor. Recent union votes in South Carolina and Florida bring organized UNFI workers above 5,000. Together, the cases point to mounting union momentum and highlight risks for Amazon if regulators redefine driver status or unions secure stronger contracts across its supply chain.
😶🌫 Truckers Back Trump’s Emissions Rollback at EPA. Owner-operators are backing the Trump administration’s plan to repeal federal greenhouse gas standards, arguing the rules drive up costs and force reliance on older equipment. OOIDA President Todd Spencer said emissions systems frequently fail, leaving drivers sidelined with repair bills as high as $21,000. One small fleet owner reported $80,000 in costs across four trucks. Spencer also warned that there are still no viable zero-emission options for long-haul freight. Environmental groups countered that the rollback could add 10 billion tons of pollution and weaken the EPA’s ability to regulate emissions nationwide.
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The proposed Union Pacific-Norfolk Southern merger stakes keep climbing. If approved, the deal would create the first coast-to-coast Class I railroad in U.S. history, with the combined value of the entity reaching $200 billion.
That scale would put the new railroad shoulder-to-shoulder with the largest transportation companies in America.
President Trump recently weighed in, telling reporters the merger "sounds good to me," putting political momentum behind the deal.
On September 22, Union Pacific and SMART-TD, the nation’s largest rail union, announced a landmark job protection agreement. The union, which once opposed the deal, flipped to endorse it after winning lifetime job guarantees.
SMART-TD President Jeremy Ferguson called it “a proud day” for members:
“For generations, railroaders have worried about what mergers might mean for their jobs … Today, we can say with confidence we are protecting jobs, protecting families, and protecting the future of the U.S. supply chain.”
Union Pacific CEO Jim Vena echoed the sentiment:
“Those who have a job when the merger is approved will continue to have one.”
With nearly 50,000 members behind SMART-TD, that endorsement could carry weight in Washington.
Shipper groups warn the merger could erode competition on critical east-west corridors and strip brokers of negotiating leverage.
“Past rail mergers have shown what happens when consolidation goes unchecked: service suffers, costs increase, and jobs disappear. Today, just four U.S. Class I railroads control over 90% of all freight traffic. A transcontinental merger could spark a new wave of consolidation, leaving captive shippers with even fewer Class I rail companies and competitive joint line options to choose from.” – The Rail Customer Coalition, Letter to the STB, September 16
The RCC argues that the deal contradicts federal goals of strengthening supply chains and fighting monopolistic behavior, warning it could trigger supply chain disruptions and make American products less competitive globally.
Jerome Washington
Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern notified the STB in late August of their intent to file a formal application. The clock is ticking:
The STB, already under scrutiny after a recent Supreme Court ruling clipped its authority, will now face pressure from both sides: unions backing the deal, shippers opposing it.
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💥 Eight-Truck Pileup. A chain-reaction crash on I-80 in Ohio began when one semi jackknifed across the roadway. Seven others were unable to stop, colliding with the rig. The pileup closed the highway for five hours. No fatalities were reported.
🚦 Road Deaths Down. NHTSA projected an 8.2% drop in roadway fatalities for the first half of 2025, with an estimated 17,500 deaths, down from 19,070 in 2024.
💵 $114M Seized. U.S. border agents reported $114 million in drug seizures in September. Canada extradited a suspect accused of coordinating smuggling rings moving cocaine and fentanyl across North American freight corridors.
🛠️ Alcoa Tariff Warning. Alcoa CEO William Oplinger warned new U.S. metal tariffs could “destroy demand” for aluminum, steel, and downstream products. Adding that manufacturers may be forced to cut production or shift sourcing abroad.
🚔 Repair Shop Arrest. Texas business owner Johnny Flores was arrested after refusing to release a customer’s semi-truck and demanding triple the quoted repair cost. Sheriff’s deputies charged him with felony theft of service.
🎣 THE FREIGHT CAVIAR CORNER
FREIGHT HUMOR
The UP-NS pitch to regulators is that the combined network would pull 2.1 million truckloads off highways annually. Plus: USPS signs a $10B+ deal with DHL, 20+ carriers go under in May, and Hub Group's CFO and COO are out.
A viral X thread by @supertrucker exposed the concentration of trucking companies in California.
Echo Global Logistics is heading back to court after the Supreme Court stripped brokers of their legal shield. Plus: insurance premiums aren't stopping, AGX Freight sues R&R and Huntington, Walmart just closed the door on inbound LTL, and more.
Thomas Mella breaks down his thoughts on this week's FreightCaviar Podcast.
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