Safety, service, and partnership take center stage at Labor Summit

This month, labor leaders from across the network joined NS employees and leadership at our 650 West Peachtree headquarters for the second annual Labor Summit, continuing the conversations that keep us moving forward together.

The event focused on what matters most: safety, service, and the people who make it all happen. Breakout sessions – organized across Transportation, Mechanical, Engineering, Intermodal and Automotive, and more – helped to drive honest dialogue. Whether discussing safety practices or service challenges, the goal was the same: listen, learn, and find ways to improve.

“At NS, we work very hard to make deeds matter and to empower people through our Speak Up culture,” said Chief Operating Officer John Orr. “We can make things smoother, simpler, more predictable, and safer with a better service product as a result of our conversations today.”

The summit also featured a Fireside Chat and Q&A with Orr and Chief Human Resources Officer Annie Adams. Their message was clear: NS is committed to transparency, continuous improvement, and building strong, collaborative relationships across the board.

“When we create space for open, honest conversations like we did today, we’re not just solving problems—we’re building stronger relationships,” Adams added. “Through efforts like the Frontline Advisory Council and feedback from our engagement surveys, we’re providing employees a more direct line to leadership. It all connects back to our Speak Up culture that is empowering people to share, be heard, and help shape the future of our railroad.”

Events like this are part of a bigger picture. When we bring people together, share perspectives, and work through challenges side by side, we build trust. And that trust is what drives lasting progress for our culture and our railroad.