U.S. Class I railroads cut 14,464 jobs between December 2008 and December 2009, with total employment dropping from 161,189 to 146,725, a decline of 8.97 percent, reports railwayage.com, citing Surface Transportation Board data.
The biggest employment category, train operating crews, lost 8,149 jobs during the 12-month period, a drop of 12.54 percent.
All employment categories posted lower December 2009 numbers compared with a year ago:
* Executives, officials, and staff assistants: 9,063, down 10.72 percent.
* Professional and administrative: 13,294, down 1.98 percent.
* Maintenance of way and structures: 32,646, down 6.60 percent.
* Maintenance of equipment and stores: 28,344, down 7.89 percent.
* Transportation (other than train and engine): 6,545, down 2.81 percent.
* Transportation (train and engine): 56,833, down 12.54 percent.
(The preceding article was published by railwayage.com)