Industry Association Urges Congress and the Administration to Act on Long-Delayed Infrastructure Bills and Avoid Tax Rate Increases or Risk Further Job Losses The construction industry added 19,000 jobs in August as a strike that had lowered employment in July ended, but the sector’s 17 percent unemployment rate was the highest August rate ever, according to a new analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of federal employment data released today. Continuing gridlock in Washington over infrastructure legislation and expiring tax rates threatens to keep construction workers unemployed much longer, association officials warned. “Construction layoffs in May through July … Read more

Kansas Tops Yearly and Vermont & New York Top Monthly Gainers; California and Nevada Experience Most Job Losses During Past Year While Illinois Experiences Largest Monthly Percent Decline Construction job gains were more widespread across the country and job losses were generally less severe in July than in June, the Associated General Contractors of America reported in an analysis of state employment data released today by the Labor Department. Twenty—six states added construction jobs in July, compared to 19 in June, while six states added construction jobs over the past year and most others are losing far fewer jobs than … Read more

Six States Add Jobs Between June 2009 & 2010; 22 States Add Jobs During The Past Month; Kansas Tops Yearly and Kentucky Tops Monthly Gainers; Nevada and California Experience Most Jobs Losses During Past Year While Wyoming Experiences Largest Monthly Percent Decline Construction employment edged closer to stabilizing in June, as half the states either added construction jobs or kept the same number as in May, the Associated General Contractors reported in an analysis of federal employment data released today. Compared to June 2009, construction employment rose in six states, the largest number of states to post year-over-year increases since … Read more