STB: Class I employment fell in December

Class Is employed 150,215 workers in the United States as of mid-December, down 0.84 percent compared with mid-November's employment figure and 6.58 percent with the year-ago figure, according to the Surface Transportation Board (STB).

Most reported employment categories reflected workforce decreases in mid-December 2016 compared with mid-November. The exception was maintenance of ways and stores, which posted a 0.34 percent increase to 28,298 workers.

Compared with mid-November 2016, the number of executives, officials and staff assistants fell 1.73 percent to 8,986 employees; professional and administrative, down 0.68 percent to 13,124; maintenance of way and structures, down 2.2 percent to 34,404; transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.22 percent to 5,922; and transportation (train and engine), down 0.57 percent to 59,481.

All reported categories reflected decreases on a year-over-year basis. Executives, officials and staff assistants declined 6.2 percent; professional and administrative, down 7.54 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 4.22 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 6.92 percent; transportation (other than train and engine), down 10.97 percent; and transportation (train and engine), down 7.13 percent.