Norfolk Southern shareholders to decide Thursday whether to back investors who want to fire the CEO

By JOSH FUNK
AP Business Writer

Norfolk Southern shareholders will decide Thursday morning whether to back an activist investor’s bid to take over the railroad’s board and replace management. Ancora Holdings picked up significant support during the campaign from major investors like EdgePoint Investment Group, two major rail unions and some customers. But the rest of rail labor, several key regulators and a number of other customers backed management. If all seven of Ancora’s nominees are elected, that would give them the votes they need to move forward with their plan to fire the CEO and overhaul the railroad’s operations. If shareholders only support some of their board candidates, then Ancora won’t be able to make sweeping changes right away.