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In November, the U.S. Class I workforce decreased on a month-over-month basis for the fourth-straight time. The workforce shrunk in a year-over-year comparison, as well.

As of mid-November, the Class Is employed 163,020 people, down 0.6 percent from mid-October's total and 1.7 percent from November 2007’s count, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

Only one workforce segment — maintenance of way and structures employees — grew on a year-over-year basis, increasing 1 percent to 35,833. However, their ranks decreased 0.6 percent from mid-October's level.

The only other workforce segment that declined on a month-over-month basis was transportation (train and engine) crews, whose ranks shrunk 1.6 percent from mid-October's count to 66,447. T&E ranks also decreased 3.9 percent compared with November 2007’s level.

As of mid-November, transportation (other than T&E) ranks totaled 6,693, increasing 0.9 percent from mid-October's count, but declining 2.6 percent from November 2007’s level. Likewise, the maintenance of equipment and stores staff rose 0.3 percent to 30,411 vs. the previous month’s total but fell 0.1 percent on a year-over-year basis.

Executives, officials and staff assistants totaled 10,124, representing a 0.3 percent increase from mid-October’s level. However, the workforce segment was flat vs. November 2007’s count. Professional and administrative staff stood at 13,512, up 0.6 percent from the previous month’s total and down 1.8 percent from November 2007’s level.