STB: Class I employment level fell in April

U.S. Class Is employed 144,223 people in mid-April, down 0.5 percent since mid-March and down 1.19 percent compared with April 2018's count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.

On a month-over-month basis, four out of six employment categories posted decreases. They were: executives, officials and staff assistants, down 1.24 percent to 7,830 employees; professional and administrative, down 0.73 percent to 11,341; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.85 percent to 26,254; and transportation (train and engine), down 0.87 percent to 61,139.

The two categories that posted month-to-month increases were maintenance of way and structures, up 0.65 percent to 32,069 workers; and transportation (other than train and engine), up 0.11 percent to 5,590 employees.

On a year-over-year basis, employment levels declined in mid-April in four categories. They were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 5.64 percent; professional and administrative, down 4.80 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 1.76 percent; and maintenance of equipment and stores, down 1.47 percent.

Both transportation categories logged increases: Train and engine ticked up 0.41 percent and other than train and engine rose 0.43 percent.