U.S. Class I workforce widened a tad in April

The U.S. Class Is continued to boost their employment levels last month. As of mid-April, they collectively employed 164,289 people, up 0.8 percent compared with mid-March's mark and up 0.3 percent compared with April 2013's count, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

On a month-over-month basis, only the executives/officials/staff assistants sector posted a drop, dipping 0.3 percent to 9,809, while the number of professional and administrative staff members was relatively flat at 13,962. The maintenance-of-way and structures segment climbed 1.3 percent to 36,973; transportation (train and engine) sector rose 1.1 percent to 66,948; transportation (other than T&E) category inched up 0.6 percent gain to 6,725; and maintenance of equipment and stores portion ratcheted up 0.5 percent increase to 29,872.

On a year-over-year basis, only two workforce segments grew: transportation (T&E), by 1.7 percent, and executives/officials/staff assistants, by 0.7 percent. The other four categories posted declines: professional and administrative staff, 1 percent; transportation (other than T&E), 0.9 percent; maintenance-of-way and structures, 0.8 percent; and maintenance of equipment and stores, 0.6 percent.