U.S. Class I workforce enlarged slightly in September

The U.S. Class I workforce grew a bit wider again last month. As of mid-September, the large railroads employed 168,703 people, up 0.4 percent from August's level and 3.4 percent from September 2013's mark, according to Surface Transportation Board employment data.

Three workforce categories registered month-over-month gains: transportation (train and engine service), 1.2 percent to 70,323; maintenance of equipment and stores, 0.5 percent to 30,291; and transportation (other than T&E), less than a tenth of a percent to 6,699. The number of professional and administrative staff members declined 1 percent to 14,163, number of executives, officials and staff assistants decreased 0.6 percent to 9,945, and number of maintenance-of-way and structures employees dipped 0.1 percent to 37,282.

On a year-over-year basis, only two categories posted drops, and relatively small ones at that: transportation (other than T&E) at 0.2 percent and maintenance-of-way and structures at 0.1 percent. The transportation (T&E) workforce grew 6.3 percent; professional and administrative staff member count climbed 2.9 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores ranks rose 2.7 percent; and number of executives, officials and staff assistants increased 2 percent.