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More than one-fourth into 2007, the U.S. Class Is continued to turn “Help Wanted” signs into help found. As of mid-May, the large roads employed a total of 167,869 people, up 0.4 percent compared with mid-April’s level and 0.6 percent compared with May 2006’s workforce, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

Executives, officials and staff assistants continued to post the largest year-over-year increase, rising 4.5 percent to 10,172. But the workforce segment decreased 0.4 percent compared with mid-April’s level.

The maintenance-of-way and structures staff registered the largest month-over-month gain, increasing 1.5 percent to 35,611. The workforce segment also rose 0.9 percent year over year.

Other segments posting month-over-month gains include maintenance of equipment and stores, up 0.6 percent to 30,645, and transportation (other than train and engine service), up 0.1 percent to 7,198. The segments increased 1.7 percent and decreased 2.4 percent, respectively, compared with May 2006 levels.

Meanwhile, professional and administrative ranks totaling 13,800 fell 0.1 percent compared with mid-April and 0.4 percent compared with the same 2006 period. The transportation (T&E) workforce totaling 70,443 dropped 0.1 percent compared with mid-April but remained flat year over year.