STB: Class I workforce grew in December

(Source: Progressive Railroading 01/20/2021)

U.S. Class Is employed 117,770 people in mid-December 2020, up 2.44% from mid-November 2020, but down 10.43% compared with the same period in 2019, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data.

Two workforce categories registered employment increases in December compared with November’s level. They were transportation (train and engine), which rose 5.67% to 49,069 workers; and maintenance of equipment and stores, which climbed 2.09% to 18,623 workers.

Categories that logged month-over-month decreases were professionals and administrative, down 0.52% to 10,223 employees; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.51% to 27,720; transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.12% to 4,823; and executives, officials and staff assistants, down 0.05% to 7,312.

Year over year, all categories marked fewer workers: maintenance of equipment and stores was down 18.12%; transportation (other than train and engine), down 10.6%; maintenance of way and structures, down 9.94%; transportation (train and engine), down 9.35%; professional and administrative, down 5.44%; and executives, officials and staff, down 4.07%.