STB: U.S. Class I employment fell in March

U.S. Class Is employed 144,948 people in mid-March, down 0.58 percent compared with mid-February's level and down 0.11 percent compared with March 2018's count, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.

On a month-over-month basis, four of six employment categories posted decreases. They were: executives, officials and staff assistants, down 2.45 percent to 7,928 employees; professional and administrative, down 2.33 percent to 11,424; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 1.86 percent to 26,478; and transportation (train and engine), down 0.28 percent to 61,673.

Categories that posted increases in the month were maintenance of way and structures, up 0.89 percent to 31,861 employees; and transportation (other than train and engine), up 0.27 percent to 5,584.

On a year-over-year basis, employment levels fell in four categories. They were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 4.39 percent; professional and administrative, down 4.31 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 1.76 percent; and maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.42 percent.

Categories that reflected year-over-year increases were transportation (other than train and engine), up 0.50 percent; and transportation (train and engine), up 2.28 percent.