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After a one-month dip, the U.S. Class I workforce increased slightly in July.

As of mid-July, the Class Is employed 164,644 workers, up 0.8 percent compared with mid-June's total, according to Surface Transportation Board data. However, the worker count dropped 0.8 percent vs. July 2007's level.

Transportation (train and engine) ranks totaling 68,123 posted the largest month-over-month gain at 1.4 percent. But the workforce segment decreased 0.9 percent compared with July 2007's total.

The maintenance-of-way and structures workforce rose 0.5 percent to 35,816, transportation (other than T&E) workforce increased 0.4 percent to 6,654, and professional and administrative staff rose 0.4 percent to 13,757 vs. mid-June levels. The segments increased 0.5 percent, dropped 5.4 percent and decreased 2.1 percent, respectively, compared with July 2007 totals.

Meanwhile, maintenance of equipment and stores workers in mid-July totaled 30,227, down 0.05 percent from mid-June's count and 0.5 percent from July 2007's level. Executives, officials and staff assistants totaled 10,067, up 0.2 percent vs. the previous month's level, but down 1.2 percent vs. July 2007's count.