STB: Class Is start 2018 with smaller workforce

As of mid-January, Class Is in the United States employed 144,329 workers, down 0.75 percent since mid-December's employment figure and down 2.76 percent compared with mid-January 2017's level, according to the Surface Transportation Board.

Five of six employment categories reflected workforce decreases in mid-January compared with mid-December. Those categories were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 3.62 percent to 7,830 employees; transportation (train and engine) down 1.29 percent to 59,684; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.99 percent to 32,132; transportation (other than train and engine) down 0.78 percent to 5,581; and maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.12 percent to 26,564.

The professional and administrative category rose 3.18 percent to 12,538 in mid-January compared with mid-December, but was down 4.94 percent compared with January 2017.

Four other categories also reflected workforce decreases last month when compared with mid-January 2017. The executives, officials and staff assistants category was down 13.73 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 5.98 percent; transportation (other than train and engine), down 5.58 percent; and maintenance of equipment and stores, down 5.24 percent.

Year over year, transportation (train and engine) increased 2.83 percent.