STB: U.S. Class Is employed fewer workers in July

U.S. Class Is as of mid-July employed 140,703 workers, down 0.46 percent since mid-June and down 4.56 percent since July 2018's count, according to U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.

Only one category — transportation (other than train and engine) — posted a gain over the four-week period. That category ticked up 0.16 percent to 5,566 people since mid-June.

Executives, officials and staff assistants — at 7,756 employees — was the only category to post no change since mid-June.

Month-over-month decreases in the other employment categories were as follows: professional and administrative, down 0.20 percent to 11,430 employees; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.44 percent to 31,724; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 1.7 percent to 24,936; and transportation (train and engine), down 0.12 percent to 59,291.

All six employment categories posted year-over-year decreases: Executives, officials and staff assistants, down 7.91 percent; professional and administrative, down 4.78 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 2.74 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 6.96 percent; transportation (other than train and engine), down 2.2 percent; and transportation (train and engine), down 4.2 percent.