U.S. Class Is employed fewer workers in May

U.S. Class Is employed 142,950 workers as of mid-May, down 0.88 percent from mid-April and down 2.76 percent compared with May 2018, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

All but one employment category — maintenance of way and structures — reflected decreases in the workforce on a month-over-month basis. Maintenance of way and structures rose 0.15 percent to 32,117 workers last month compared with April's level.

Categories that logged decreases since mid-April were executives, officials and staff assistants, down 0.14 percent to 7,819 employees; professional and administrative, down 0.54 percent to 11,280; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 1.32 percent to 25,908; transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.36 percent; and transportation (train and engine), down 1.44 percent to 60,256.

On a year-over-year basis, all categories reflected decreases. The executives, officials and staff assistants category fell 6.46 percent; professional and administrative was down 4.71 percent; maintenance of way and structures, down 1.99 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 3.53 percent; transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.25 percent; and transportation (train and engine), down 2.17 percent.