Class I Employment Fell in July

U.S. Class I Railroads employed 115,670 people in July, a decline of 0.23 percent from mid-June and down 1.33 percent from employment levels in mid-July 2020.

The U.S. Surface Transportation Board said five of six employment categories experienced decreases: maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.79 percent to 17,519 workers; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.46 percent to 28,514; transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.42 percent to 4,731;  executives, officials and staff assistants, down 0.29 percent to 7,321; and professional and administrative, down 0.03 percent to 10,087.

Only the transportation (train and engine) category posted an increase in July over June. It was 0.11 percent to 47,498 workers.

Transportation (train and engine) was also the only category to log a year-over-year increase; the category’s employment level rose 6.09 percent.

On a year-over-year basis, these five categories saw decreases in employment levels: Maintenance of equipment and stores, down 10.39 percent; transportation (other than train and engine), down 6.78 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 4.73 percent; professional and administrative, down 2.83 percent; and executives, officials and staff assistants, down 2.66 percent.

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