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The U.S. Class I workforce continued to shrink last month — and how. As of mid-May, the workforce stood at 151,536, representing a 1.8 percent decrease from mid-April’s level and 8.3 percent drop from May 2008’s count, according to the Surface Transportation Board’s (STB) most recent employment data.

Transportation (train and engine) ranks declined 4 percent from mid-April’s level to 56,370. The workforce segment also shrank a whopping 18 percent from May 2008’s count.

Maintenance of way and structures ranks as of mid-May totaled 35,442, up 0.2 percent from mid-April’s level, but down 0.7 percent from May 2008’s count. Executives, officials and staff assistants numbered 10,081, increasing 0.4 percent and 0.1 percent on a month-over-month and year-over-year basis, respectively — the only workforce segment to post comparative gains.

For more breakdowns of the STB’s most recent employment data, follow this link to download a pdf file of May figures.