U.S. Class I railway employment slips in April

Class I freight railroads in the United States employed 149,107 workers as of the middle of April 2017, down 0.14 percent month-over-month and 2.64 percent year-over-year.

   Class I freight railroads in the United States employed 149,107 workers as of the middle of April 2017, a 2.64 percent decline from 153,143 employees during the same 2016 period, according to data from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB).
   On a sequential basis, U.S. Class I employment fell 0.14 percent from 149,323 workers in mid-March.
   Three of the six employment categories reported to the STB in mid-April posted increases from the prior month, while only one of the categories recorded a year-over-year increase.
   Broken down by employment category in mid-April:
     • Class I railway executives, officials and staff assistants fell 2.5 percent month-over-month and 5.35 percent year-over-year;
     • Professional and administrative employees fell 4.04 percent month-over-month and 8.21 percent year-over-year;
     • Maintenance of way and structures employees grew 0.35 percent month-over-month, but fell 5.45 percent year-over-year;
     • Maintenance of equipment and stores employees fell 0.28 percent month-over-month and 4.19 percent year-over-year;
     • Transportation employees (not including train and engine) grew 0.09 percent month-over-month, but fell 6.15 percent year-over-year;
     • And train and engine workers grew 0.84 percent month-over-month and 2 percent year-over-year.