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The U.S. Class I workforce shrunk slightly in July — a second-straight decline after steady monthly gains from January to May.

As of mid-July, the large roads employed a total of 166,047 people, down 0.7 percent compared with mid-June’s level, according to Surface Transportation Board data. On a year-over-year basis, the workforce increased 0.3 percent.

Only two employment groups posted month-over-month gains: professional and administrative, up 0.5 percent to 14,057; and executives, officials and staff assistants, up 0.4 percent to 10,191 compared with mid-June levels. The executive group also registered the largest year-over-year gain at 3.5 percent. The professional and administrative staff decreased slightly compared with mid-July 2006’s level.

At 7,031, the transportation (other than train and engine service) workforce represented the largest year-over-year decline (4 percent). The segment also decreased 0.5 percent compared with mid-June’s level.

Maintenance of equipment and stores staff totaled 30,388, a 0.6 percent decline compared with mid-June’s total but 1.6 percent gain compared with July 2006. Likewise, the maintenance-of-way and structures workforce totaling 35,628 registered a 1 percent month-over-month decrease but 0.5 percent year-over-year increase.

Finally, the largest employment segment — transportation (T&E) workers — as of mid-July totaled 68,752, representing a 0.8 percent decrease compared with mid-June’s level and 0.4 percent decline compared with the T&E workforce in July 2006.