Rail News: Labor
U.S. Class I workforce was a tad smaller in February, STB data shows

The U.S. Class I workforce shrunk slightly last month. As of mid-February, the workforce stood at 159,228, down less than 0.1 percent compared with January’s total, according to Surface Transportation Board (STB) data. But compared with February 2011’s level, the workforce increased 3.1 percent.

The only workforce segment that registered a month-over-month gain in February was transportation (train and engine), which expanded by 0.3 percent to 64,410. Transportation (other than train and engine) ranks decreased 1.4 percent to 6,706 and the four other categories declined by less than 1 percent: maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.3 percent to 29,601; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.2 percent to 35,261; professional and administrative staff, down 0.2 percent to 13,745; and executives, officials and staff assistants, down 0.1 percent to 9,505.

On a year-over-year basis, all six categories posted gains: executives, officials and staff assistants, 3.7 percent; transportation (T&E), 3.7 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, 3.4 percent; maintenance of way and structures, 2.8 percent; transportation (other than T&E), 1.1 percent; and professional and administrative staff, 0.8 percent.

For more STB data on the U.S. Class I workforce as of mid-February, follow this link to download a pdf file.