Class I Employment Up Slightly in April

U.S. Class 1 railroads employed 122,967 workers in mid-April, a 0.02 percent increase from March and a 1.3 percent increase year over year.

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board reported that two employment categories registered increases between March and April: Maintenance of way and structures rose 0.99 percent to 29,177 workers; and transportation (other than train and engine) increased 0.85 percent to 4,975 workers.

Categories that posted March-to-April declines were professional and administrative, down 1.14 percent to 10,130 employees; executives, officials and staff assistants, down 0.92 percent to 7,997; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.36 percent to 17,825; and transportation (train and engine), down 0.09 percent to 52,863.

Year over year, three employment categories saw gains: Transportation (train and engine), up 2.54 percent; transportation (other than train and engine), up 1.72 percent; maintenance of way and structures, up 1.61 percent; and professional and administrative, up 0.9 percent.

Losing ground were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 1.99 percent; and maintenance of equipment and stores, down 1.14 percent.

Tags: Class 1 railroad employment, STB employment figures, U.S. Class 1 Railroads, U.S. Surface Transportation Board