For nearly 200 years, Norfolk Southern has been a cornerstone of freight rail service, fueled by an unwavering commitment to our people. We are investing in our workforce today and in the future, from craft employees to future railroaders and our veterans, while making meaningful investments in the communities we live and serve.

Supporting our craft colleagues
Last year, we issued a joint letter with leaders of 12 unions pledging to partner in support of safety. We also collaborated with our unions to address important quality-of-life issues raised by craft employees, continuing to build a workplace experience that will attract, retain, and reward our dedicated railroaders. By listening to employee input, Norfolk Southern became the first Class I railroad to offer paid sick leave to all our craft employees and to provide every conductor and engineer with predictable, scheduled time off.

Investing in our future
We understand that supporting our employees means supporting their families. That’s why, in 2022, we introduced the Thoroughbred Scholars program. Each year, more than 100 children of Norfolk Southern employees will receive scholarships for up to $10,000 over four years, along with three additional scholarships for distinguished students who will receive rewards of up to $40,000 over four years. In 2023, our scholars came from 16 states across our 22-state network, with 90 scholarships reserved for the children of our craft workforce, who play a critical role in moving the U.S. economy.

In 2023, distinguished scholarship recipients were honored at a luncheon with our CEO, Alan Shaw, at our headquarters in Atlanta. [image source]

Investing in the communities we serve
We’re always looking for new ways to advance safety and support communities across our 22-state network. Last year, we introduced two new grant programs for first responders and community organizations that promote safe and sustainable operations, develop the local workforce, and build strong, resilient communities. In the program’s first year, we awarded nearly $5 million to deserving communities through these grants. To learn more about grant eligibility, please visit the Norfolk Southern Corporate Giving website.

These initiatives represent a snapshot of our ongoing commitment to our workforce and the communities we serve. For a more comprehensive look at how Norfolk Southern is creating a brighter future, check out our full “Forging a Better Tomorrow” report.