Size of U.S. Class I workforce didn't change much last month

As of mid-February, the U.S. Class Is employed 162,316 people, about the same size as January's workforce and up slightly compared with February 2013's count, according to recent Surface Transportation Board employment data.

On a month-over-month basis, only the professional/administrative and maintenance of equipment and stores sectors posted declines, at 0.6 percent to 13,965 and 0.3 percent to 29,677, respectively. The number of executives, officials and staff assistants increased 0.4 percent to 9,861; number of maintenance-of-way and structures workers inched up 0.2 percent to 36,070; and number of transportation (train and engine) employees ratcheted up nearly 0.2 percent to 66,095. The transportation (other than train and engine) workforce was relatively flat at 6,648.

Four workforce segments decreased on a year-over-year basis: transportation (other than T&E), by 2.2 percent; professional/administrative, by 1.3 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores, by 1.2 percent; and maintenance-of-way and structures, by 0.6 percent. The transportation (T&E) workforce rose 1.5 percent and number of executives, officials and staff assistants increased 0.2 percent.