Class I railroad employment levels off
Written by William C. Vantuono, Editor-in-ChiefClass I railroads employed 154,285 workers in mid-October, 5,265 more than in October 2009 but only 191 more than in September 2010, according to new figures released by the Surface Transportation Board Wednesday.
That pattern—flat with September though up from 2009—was repeated in specific employment categories.
Train crew employment, for example, stood at 62,451 in October 2010—and “stood” was the word. After a period of several month-over-month increases, the October figure was only seven higher than in September, though 7.44% higher than in October 2009.
The number of executives, officials, and staff assistants in October was 9,120, up 0.1% from last year; professional and administrative, 13,199, up 1.35%; maintenance of way and structures, 35,056, up 1.26%; maintenance ofequipment and stores, 28,294, up 0.62%; and transportation (other than train and engine), 6,565, up 3.15%.
