STB: Class I employment steady in mid-June

As of mid-June, U.S. Class Is employed 147,282 workers, up 0.19 percent from mid-May, but down 0.9 percent from mid-June 2017, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.

Four of six employment categories reflected increases on a month-over-month basis. Categories that posted increases since mid-May were executives, officials and staff assistants, up 0.35 percent to 8,388 workers; professional and administrative, up 1.35 percent to 11,998; transportation (other than train and engine), up 0.18 percent to 5,594; and transportation (train and engine), up 0.31 percent to 61,787.

The two categories that logged decreases on a month-over-month basis were  maintenance of way and structures, down 0.16 percent to 32,716 workers; and maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.21 percent to 26,799.

Year over year, all categories but one — transportation (train and engine) — reflected decreases. They were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 3.58 percent; professional and administrative, down 5.42 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 3.9 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 1.84 percent; and transportation (other than train and engine), down 3.63 percent.

The transportation (train and engine) category rose 2.81 percent in mid-June compared with a year ago.