STB: U.S. Class I workforce steady in September

As of mid-September, U.S. Class Is employed a total 148,171 workers, up 0.02 percent compared with mid-August and up 1.02 percent compared with the same month in 2017, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

Four of six employment categories reflected decreases on a month-over-month basis. Categories that logged decreases since mid-August were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 0.54 percent to 8,414 employees; professional and administrative, down 1.04 percent to 11,852; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.36 percent to 32,493; and transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.67 percent to 5,662.

The number of maintenance of equipment and stores workers climbed 0.60 percent to 27,109 between August and September, while the number of transportation (train and engine) rose 0.32 percent to 62,641.

On a year-over-year basis, four categories reflected decreases. They were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 0.98 percent; professional and administrative, down 4.37 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 2.96 percent; and transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.28 percent.

The number of transportation (train and engine) category surged 4.61 percent, while maintenance of equipment and stores inched up 1.38 percent compared with the same period a year ago.