Class I employment level declined in April

(Source: Progressive Railroading 05/20/2020)

Class Is employed 124,430 employees as of mid-April, down 2.69 percent from March and down 13.72 percent from April 2019 levels, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

Four employment categories logged month-to-month decreases. They were transportation (train and engine), down 6.07 percent to 48,658 employees; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 1.6 percent to 21,709; transportation (other than train and engine), down 1.3 percent to 5,237; and professional and administrative, down 1.01 percent to 10,638.

Two employment categories showed increases compared with March employment levels: Executives, officials and staff assistants rose 1.35 percent to 10,638 people; and maintenance of way and structures climbed 0.44 percent to 30,518.

Year over year, all categories logged decreases. They were: transportation (train and engine), down 20.41 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 17.31 percent; transportation (other than train and engine), down 6.31 percent; professional and administrative, down 6.2 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 4.84 percent; and executives, officials and staff assistants, down 2.04 percent.