Newsletter Sign Up
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry
Stay updated on news, articles and information for the rail industry

Rail News Home
Labor
Rail News: Labor
5/29/2008
Rail News: Labor
U.S. Class Is add workers for third-straight month
advertisement
The U.S. Class I workforce grew a tad in April — the third-straight month the large roads employed more people vs. the previous month.
As of mid-April, the Class Is employed 164,577, up 0.7 percent compared with mid-March's total, according to Surface Transportation Board data. However, the workforce represented a 1.6 percent decline on a year-over-year basis.
The maintenance-of-way and structures workforce totaling 35,296 rose 2 percent compared with mid-March's count, posting the largest month-over-month gain. The workforce also increased 0.6 percent on a year-over-year basis.
Transportation (train and engine) ranks also swelled slightly in April, increasing 0.7 percent to 68,554 compared with mid-March's total. But the workforce segment decreased 2.8 percent vs. March 2007's count.
The only other workforce segment that posted a gain last month — maintenance of equipment and stores — inched up 0.06 percent to 30,354. On a year-over-year basis, the segment declined 0.4 percent.
Meanwhile, transportation (other than T&E) ranks totaling 6,623 in mid-April decreased 0.2 percent compared with mid-March's total and 7.9 percent vs. March 2007's count; executives, officials and staff assistants totaling 10,073 declined 0.2 percent on a month-over month and 1.4 percent on a year-over-year basis; and professional and administrative staff totaling 13,677 fell 0.2 percent vs. mid-March's and 1 percent vs. March 2007's level.
As of mid-April, the Class Is employed 164,577, up 0.7 percent compared with mid-March's total, according to Surface Transportation Board data. However, the workforce represented a 1.6 percent decline on a year-over-year basis.
The maintenance-of-way and structures workforce totaling 35,296 rose 2 percent compared with mid-March's count, posting the largest month-over-month gain. The workforce also increased 0.6 percent on a year-over-year basis.
Transportation (train and engine) ranks also swelled slightly in April, increasing 0.7 percent to 68,554 compared with mid-March's total. But the workforce segment decreased 2.8 percent vs. March 2007's count.
The only other workforce segment that posted a gain last month — maintenance of equipment and stores — inched up 0.06 percent to 30,354. On a year-over-year basis, the segment declined 0.4 percent.
Meanwhile, transportation (other than T&E) ranks totaling 6,623 in mid-April decreased 0.2 percent compared with mid-March's total and 7.9 percent vs. March 2007's count; executives, officials and staff assistants totaling 10,073 declined 0.2 percent on a month-over month and 1.4 percent on a year-over-year basis; and professional and administrative staff totaling 13,677 fell 0.2 percent vs. mid-March's and 1 percent vs. March 2007's level.