Compiled figures released Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2014 by the Surface Transportation Board show Class I railroads employed 162,286 people in mid-January, up a modest 0.15% from January 2013, but down 0.32%, or 524 employees, from the previous month of December.
Only Transportation (train and engine) gained ground in January from a year ago, up 1.15% and countering losses in every other category. Transportation (other than train and engine) fell 2.12% from January 2013; Maintenance of equipment and stores declined 1.36%; Professional and administrative dropped 0.66%; Executives, officials, and staff assistants lost 0.23%; and Maintenance of way and structures slipped 0.11%.
Similarly, just two categories advanced from December 2013 employment levels, with Professional and Administrative up 1.17% and Maintenance of equipment and stores eking out a 0.07% advance. Maintenance of way and structures led the month-over-month decliners, down 1.12%, followed by Executives, officials, and staff assistants, and also Transportation (train and engine), both down 0.38%. Transportation (other than train and engine) fell 0.14%.