Class I employment fell in all categories last month

In mid-August, U.S. Class Is employed 139,284 workers, down 1.01 percent from mid-July and down 5.98 percent from mid-August 2018, according to Surface Transportation Board employment data.

On a month-over-month basis, all employment categories logged decreases. They were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 0.68 percent to 7,703 employees; professional and administrative, down 0.97 percent to 11,319; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.3 percent to 31,629; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 1.24 percent to 24,627; transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.92 percent to 5,515; and transportation (train and engine), down 1.35 percent to 58,491.

Year over year, all employment categories posted decreases. They were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 8.95 percent; professional and administrative, down 5.49 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 3.01 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 8.61 percent; transportation (other than train and engine), down 3.25 percent; and transportation (train and engine), down 6.33 percent.

STB data as of mid-August shows BNSF Railway Co. employed 42,659 workers; Union Pacific Railroad, 39,864; Norfolk Southern Railway, 24,261; CSX, 19,115; and Kansas City Southern, 3,053.