STB: Class I employment down a tad in February

U.S. Class Is employed 145,800 people in mid-February, down 0.52 percent compared with mid-January's level, but up 0.68 percent compared with February 2018's count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.

On a month-over-month basis, all but one employment category — maintenance of way and structures — posted decreases. The executives, officials and staff assistants declined 0.56 percent to 8,127 employees; professional and administrative, down 0.31 percent to 11,696; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.51 percent to 26,981; transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.22 percent to 5,569; and transportation (train and engine), down 1.11 percent to 61,848.

The maintenance of way and structures category ticked up 0.55 percent to 31,579 employees.

On a year-over-year basis, employment levels increased in two categories: maintenance of equipment and stores rose 0.88 percent; and transportation (train and engine) climbed 3.34 percent.

Categories that reflected year-over-year decreases were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 2.62 percent; professional and administrative, down 2.92 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 2.04 percent; and transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.39 percent.