Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern are confirming they're in merger talks that would create North America’s largest railroad, stretching service from East to West Coasts.

Union Pacific , the largest U.S. railroad operator, could reach an agreement to acquire rival Norfolk Southern as soon as early next week, Bloomberg News reported on Friday, citing people familiar with the matter.

The combination of two large rail companies would create the first coast-to-coast network, but the deal could reduce competition.

Boeing expects more than 3,200 union workers at three St. Louis-area plants that produce U.S. fighter jets to strike after they rejected a proposed contract

Union members who assemble Boeing’s fighter jets in the St. Louis area have “overwhelmingly voted” to reject the company’s contract offer on Sunday, with the company now preparing for an imminent strike.

Boeing stock was rising. The company is facing a labor strike, which could have an impact on the defense business.