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The U.S. Class Is neared the end of 2007 with a smaller workforce than they had both in November and year-end 2006. As of mid-December, the large roads employed a total of 164,252 people, a 0.9 percent decrease compared with mid-November's level and 2 percent drop from December 2006's count, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

The transportation workforces registered the largest year-over-year declines. The transportation (other than train and engine service) workforce decreased 5.4 percent to 6,835 and transportation (T&E) ranks dropped 5.2 percent to 68,056. On a month-over-month basis, the segments declined 0.5 percent and 1.6 percent, respectively.

Executive and administrative staffs also shrunk from 2006 levels. The professional and administrative workforce decreased 0.4 percent to 13,784 and executives/officials/staff assistants segment declined 0.3 percent to 10,123. The workforce categories increased 0.2 percent and decreased 0.03 percent, respectively, compared with November levels.

Meanwhile, the maintenance of way and structures workforce totaling 34,730 increased 2.2 percent compared with 2006's level but fell 2.1 percent from November's count. The maintenance of equipment and stores workforce totaled 30,724, up 0.6 percent from 2006's total and 0.9 percent from November's level.