U.S. Class I railway employment growth continues in March

After falling in 19 of the previous 21 months, railway employment levels in the United States ticked up for two consecutive months in February and March 2017, according to recent data from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board.    Class I freight railroads in the United States employed 149,323 workers as of the middle of March 2017, a 2.86 percent decline from 153,723 employees during the same 2016 period, according to data from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB).
   On a sequential basis, however, U.S. railway employment ticked up 0.32 percent from 148,843 workers in mid-February. The month-over-month growth was the second consecutive monthly increase, but came on the heels of workforce declines in 19 of the previous 21 months.
   Three of the various employment categories reported to the STB posted increases from the previous month, and all but one of them declined on a year-over-year basis.
   Class I railway executives, officials and staff assistants in March fell 0.44 percent from the previous month and 3.36 percent year-over-year; professional and administrative staff ticked up 0.03 percent month-over-month but dropped 5.17 percent from last year; maintenance of way and structures employees grew 0.9 percent from February, but fell 5.28 percent from March 2016; maintenance of equipment and stores workers slid 0.05 percent and 4.99 percent, respectively; while transportation staff (not including train and engine) was down 0.73 percent and 5.82 percent, respectively; and train and engine workers grew 0.92 percent from mid-February, and 0.62 percent from the same 2016 period.