U.S. transportation industry loses over 20,000 jobs in January

Transportation and logistics companies cut 20,300 jobs during the month, led by a sharp decline in courier positions, according to recent preliminary data from the United States Department of Labor.    United States transportation and logistics companies cut 20,300 jobs during the month of January, according to the latest preliminary data from the U.S. Department of Labor.
   The loss was led primarily by the courier and messenger sector, which shed 14,400 positions during the month, underscoring the seasonal nature of the parcel delivery industry. Express delivery companies like FedEx, UPS and DHL add thousands of temporary workers in the months leading up to the peak holiday delivery season.
   The U.S. warehousing sector, which added 3,200 jobs in December, lost 400 jobs last month, while trucking companies added 1,500 jobs. Air transportation sector hiring remained flat, while rail and water transportation jobs fell by 500 jobs and 200 jobs, respectively.
   Overall, the U.S. added 151,000 jobs in January, falling short of expectations, but still a positive sign in an economy that appears to be slowing otherwise. The Department of Commerce last month released a “first” preliminary estimate showing U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) grew just 0.7 percent in the fourth quarter of 2015, considerably slower than the 2.2 percent growth rate seen in the third quarter.