STB: Class Is employed fewer workers in July

(source: Progressive Railroading 08/21/2017)

Class Is employed 147,540 workers in the United States as of mid-July, down 0.7 percent from mid-June’s level and 3.4 percent from mid-July 2016’s mark, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

All six employment categories reflected workforce decreases on a month-over-month basis. The number of executives, officials and staff assistants declined 0.24 percent to 8,678; professional and administrative staff, 0.3 percent to 12,643; maintenance of way and structures workers, 0.57 percent to 33,849; maintenance of equipment and stores employees, 0.97 percent to 27,036; transportation (other than train and engine) ranks, 0.26 percent to 5,790; and transportation (train and engine) workers, 0.92 percent to 59,544.

On a year-over-year basis, all but one category reflected decreases. The number of professional and administrative was down 7.7 percent; executives, officials and staff assistants, down 6.5 percent;  maintenance of way and structures, down 6.5 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 5.1 percent; and transportation (other than T&E), down 5.3 percent.

The number of T&E employees rose 1.04 percent.