U.S. Class I workforce grew wider again in July

As of mid-July, U.S. Class Is employed 167,138 people, up 0.6 percent from mid-June's level and 1.9 percent from July 2013's mark, according to recently released Surface Transportation Board data.

Only the professional and administrative staff category registered a month-over-month decline in July, dipping 0.5 percent to 14,365. Compared with mid-June figures, the transportation (train and engine) workforce grew 1.2 percent to 68,730; the number of executives, officials and staff assistants rose 0.7 percent to 9,973; the size of the maintenance-of-way and structures staff increased 0.4 percent to 37,352; the number of maintenance of equipment and stores workers inched up 0.1 percent to 29,975; and the transportation (other than T&E) workforce also ratcheted up 0.1 percent to 6,743.

On a year-over-year basis, transportation (other than T&E) ranks declined 0.6 percent and the maintenance-of-way and structures workforce shrank 0.4 percent. However, the number of transportation (T&E) employees shot up 3.8 percent; number of maintenance of equipment and stores workers rose 1.8 percent; number of professional and administrative staff members increased 1.4 percent; and number of executives, officials and staff assistants grew 1.2 percent.