Class Is employed fewer workers in August

As of mid-August, Class Is employed 120,611 people, down 0.39% since July and down 1.78% compared with employment levels a year ago, according to Surface Transportation Board data.

Five of the six employment categories registered decreases last month since July. They were: professional and administrative, down 1.11% to 9,768 workers; maintenance of equipment and stores, down 0.54% to 17,082; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.43% to 28,985; transportation (train and engine), down 0.31% to 51,845; and transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.28% to 5,029.

The only category that registered an increase in August was executives, officials and staff assistants, which rose 0.33% to 7,902 workers.

Year over year, five of the six categories logged decreases: maintenance of equipment and stores, down 6.44%; professional and administrative, down 5.41%; executives, officials and staff assistants, down 4.01%; transportation (train and engine), down 0.49%; and maintenance of way and structures, 0.03%.

Class I employment in transportation (other than train and engine) jobs rose 3.07% in August compared to year-ago levels.