Eastern Railroad Discussion > Class 1 Employment Down 0.18% in September

 The U.S. Surface Transportation Board said Class 1 railroads employed 120,399 workers in September, a 0.18 percent decrease compared to August's employment level and a 1.69 percent decline year over year.
All but one of the job categories posted month-to-month decreases. Only maintenance of equipment and stores added employees, with a 0.13 percent increase to 17,105.

Job categories that posted declines were executives and staff assistants, down 0.56 percent to 7,858 workers; professional and administrative, down 0.4 percent to 9,729; maintenance of way and structures, down 0.21 percent to 28,923; transportation (train and engine), down 0.17 percent to 51,757; and transportation (other than train and engine), down 0.04 percent to 5,027.

On a year-over-year basis, two categories saw gains. They were transportation (other than train and engine) up 2.17 percent, while maintenance of way and structures was up 0.1 percent.
Seeing declines on  a year-over-year basis were maintenance of equipment and stores, down 5.66 percent; professional and administrative, down 5.5 percent; executives, officials and staff assistants, down 4.59 percent; and transportation (train and engine), down 0.44 percent. From the akronrrblog 
 

Not sure how the data is analyzed...that is the why and wherefores....I think that numbers could be up...but railroads still are having issues getting employees...so making do with what we have, if that's even possible.