U.S. Class I workforce contracted slightly in July

The U.S. Class I workforce shrunk a bit last month. As of mid-July, the workforce stood at 163,956 people, down 0.3 percent from June's level, according to Surface Transportation Board data. But on a year-over-year basis, the workforce grew 1.2 percent.

Sharp declines in the number of professional and administrative staff workers (2.1 percent to 14,169) and maintenance of equipment and stores employees (1.7 percent to 29,439) were the primary reasons for the month-over-month drop. The other four workforce segments registered gains versus June levels: transportation (other than train and engine), 0.6 percent to 6,785; executives, officials and staff assistants, 0.5 percent to 9,852; maintenance-of-way and structures, 0.2 percent to 37,513; and transportation (train and engine), 0.2 percent to 66,198.

On a year-over-year basis, only the maintenance of equipment and stores sector posted a decline, at 0.8 percent. The transportation (T&E) workforce grew 2.1 percent; professional and administrative ranks rose 2 percent; number of executives, officials and staff assistants increased 1.3 percent; maintenance-of-way and structures crews expanded 1.1 percent; and transportation (other than T&E) force ratcheted up 0.3 percent.