Class 1 Employment Up in December

Class 1 railroad employment rose in December, the U.S. Surface Transportation Board reported this week.

In mid-December the carriers employed 119,349 people, a 0.34 percent increase compared to November 2022 and a 3.88 percent increase compared with December 2021.

STB figures showed five of six employment categories posting gains between November and December 2022.

This included transportation (other than train and engine), up 0.88 percent to 4,821 workers; transportation (train and engine), up 0.49 percent to 50,178; maintenance of way and structures, up 0.3 percent to 28,515; professional and administrative, up 0.3 percent to 10,028; and maintenance of equipment and stores, up 0.2 percent to 17,810.

The only loss was in the category of executives, officials and staff assistants, which declined 0.41 percent to 7,997 people.

On a year-over-year comparison, executives, officials and staff assistants rose 6.78 percent.

Other categories included transportation (train and engine), up 5.39 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, up 3 percent; transportation (other than train and engine), up 2.71 percent; maintenance of way and structures, up 2.64 percent; and professional and administrative, up 0.07 percent.

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