Class I workforce continued to shrink in November

Class Is employed 145,952 workers in the United States as of mid-November, down 0.27 percent since mid-October's employment figure and down 3.66 percent compared with mid-November 2016's level, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

Four out of six employment categories reflected workforce decreases in November compared with October's levels. Those categories were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 0.07 percent to 8,211 employees; professional and administrative, down 0.12 percent to 12,182; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.63 percent to 33,059; and transportation (train and engine), down 0.37 percent to 60,200.

On a month-over-month basis, the number of maintenance of equipment and stores employees inched up 0.24 percent to 26,630 workers, while transportation (other than train and engine) rose 0.07 percent to 5,670.

On a year-over-year basis, all but one category reflected decreases. They were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 10.2 percent; professional and administrative, down 7.81 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 6.03 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 5.57 percent; and transportation (other than train and engine). down 4.47 percent.

The number of transportation (train and engine) workers rose 0.63 percent on a year-over-year basis.