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Despite a traffic decline in the first quarter, the U.S. Class Is continued to hire more workers. As of mid-March, the large roads employed a total of 167,011 people, a 0.4 percent increase compared with mid-February’s level and 1 percent rise from March 2006’s count, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

The maintenance of way and structures workforce totaling 34,687 posted the largest month-over-month increase at 1.6 percent while the executives/officials/staff assistants segment totaling 10,184 registered the largest year-over-year gain at 5.4 percent.

Meanwhile, the maintenance of equipment and stores workforce totaling 30,381 increased 0.3 percent compared with mid-February’s count and 1.3 percent compared with last year. The Class Is’ transportation (train and engine service) staff reached 70,720, up slightly from the previous month and 0.3 percent from March 2006.

Transportation (other than T&E) ranks totaling 7,202 increased 0.2 percent compared with mid-February’s level but declined 2 percent compared with last year. Conversely, professional and administrative staff totaling 13,837 fell 0.4 percent from the previous month but rose 0.2 percent from March 2006’s level.