STB extends Class I employment data reporting reg

The Surface Transportation Board yesterday announced it is extending the temporary reporting of employment data to Dec. 31, and is requiring certain updated information from BNSF Railway Co., CSX, Norfolk Southern Railway and Union Pacific Railroad.

Since May 2022, the board has required all U.S.-based Class Is to submit several specific reports on rail service, performance and employment. The four carriers also were required to submit service recovery plans, progress reports and  historical data, and participate in biweekly conference calls with STB staff.

The board began requiring the information in response to extensive problems in rail-service performance, which was discussed during an STB hearing held April 27, 2022.

This year, railroads expect to see increased traffic, partially resulting from improved economic conditions. The four Class Is have stated their commitment to growing traffic on their networks. While they've have increased overall workforce levels since May 2022 and have met most of what they set as interim labor-force targets, their employment levels are still 14,000 below pre-pandemic levels and have been essentially flat for the past six months, STB officials said in a press release.

The STB is directing the four carriers to provide detailed information on hiring and retention plans, as well as an additional update on their labor-force targets. BNSF, NS and UP are directed to submit data about trainees in their monthly employment data, board officials said.

"Because service performance data from recent weeks show that service has improved since April 2022, the board does not see the need at this time to extend the service-data reporting," they said.

The board's decision can be downloaded here.