Major freight railroads in the United States employed 154,212 workers as of the middle of February, down 1.53 percent from the previous month and 10.44 percent year-over-year, according to data from the Surface Transportation Board.
Class I freight railroads in the United States employed 154,212 workers as of the middle of February, a 10.44 percent decline from 172,195 employees during the same 2015 period, according to data from the U.S. Surface Transportation Board (STB).
Class I railway employment was also down 1.53 percent from 156,602 workers in mid-January 2016.
Each of the various employment categories reported to the STB posted decreases from the previous month as well as year-over-year.
Executives, officials and staff assistants were down 0.70 percent from mid- January and 5.07 percent compared to February 2015; professional and administrative staff fell 0.34 percent and 1.88 percent, respectively; maintenance of way and structures employees dipped 0.04 percent and 3.62 percent; maintenance of equipment and stores workers were down 0.97 percent and 4.66 percent; transportation staff (not including train and engine) fell 2.69 percent and 4.12 percent; while train and engine workers were down 2.96 percent month-over-month and 19.36 percent year-over-year.
U.S. Class I railway employment continues to decline
