Size of U.S. Class I workforce shrunk slightly in January

The total headcount at U.S. Class Is dropped a bit last month. As of mid-January, the large roads' workforce stood at 164,568, down 3.7 percent compared with December 2014's level, according to Surface Transportation Board employment data.

All six workforce categories registered declines versus December headcounts: maintenance-of-way and structures, down 6.4 percent to 34,985; transportation (other than train and engine), down about 5 percent to 6,370; professional and administrative, down 4.8 percent to 13,600; executives, officials and staff assistants, down 3.9 percent to 9,621; transportation (train and engine), down 2.5 percent to 69,921; and maintenance of equipment and stores, down 2.3 percent to 30,071.

But on a year-over-year basis, the U.S. Class I workforce grew 1.4 percent. Transportation (train and engine) forces rose nearly 6 percent and the number of maintenance of equipment and stores workers increased 1 percent versus January 2014 figures. The other four workforce categories registered the following year-over-year declines: transportation (other than T&E), 4.2 percent; professional and administrative, 3.2 percent; maintenance-of-way and structures, 2.8 percent; and executives, officials and staff assistants, 2.1 percent.