STB: U.S. Class I workforce down a bit in January

U.S. Class Is employed 146,556 employees in mid-January, down 0.72 percent compared with December 2018's level, but up 1.54 percent compared with January 2018's count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.

On a month-over-month basis, all but one employment category posted decreases. The executives, officials and staff assistants declined 0.35 percent to 8,173 employees; maintenance of way and structures, down 1.48 percent to 31,405; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.71 percent to 27,120; transportation (other than train and engine), down 1.26 percent to 5,581; and transportation (train and engine), down 0.46 percent to 62,545.

Professional and administrative was the only employment category that logged a month-over-month increase: Employment levels inched up 0.26 percent to 11,732 people.

On a year-over-year basis, employment levels in two categories increased. They were maintenance of equipment and stores, which rose 2.09 percent; and transportation (train and engine), which climbed 4.79 percent.

Transportation (other than train and engine) remained flat.

Categories that reflected year-over-year decreases were executives, officials and staff assistants, which fell 1.77 percent; professional and administrative, down 2.62 percent; and maintenance of way and structures, down 2.26 percent.