Jobs Decline in Construction Sector for First Time in More than Two Years, Says ABC

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According to a recent analysis by the Associated Builders and Contractors of data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry lost 31,000 net new jobs in February. Overall, nonresidential employment decreased by 20,400 net new positions compared to January, with losses split between nonresidential building (-3,000), heavy and civil engineering (-13,200) and nonresidential specialty contractors (-4,200). However, industry employment is up 223,000 jobs since February 2018, an increase of 3.1 percent. Unemployment in the construction industry dropped slightly to 6.2 percent, down 0.2 percentage points from January. On a year-over-year basis, unemployment is 1.6 percentage points … Read more

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Study Reviews Key Findings of Fatal Injuries at Road Construction Sites

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Working at road construction sites can be dangerous. Between 2011 and 2016, 532 construction workers lost their lives at road construction sites, an average of 89 workers each year. CPWR’s Data Center recently explored road construction fatality trends and causes using data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Among the key findings: About half of these deaths happened when a worker on foot was struck by a vehicle or mobile heavy equipment (such as a dump truck on the worksite, or a passing car intruding on the worksite) Construction laborers suffered the greatest number of construction fatalities, and both the … Read more

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Strong Economy, Weaker Dollar Help Construction Materials Prices Recover in January

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – Overall construction input prices increased 1.1 percent in January, reversing a slight decline in December 2017, according to a recently released Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Compared to this time last year, overall construction materials prices are up 4.9 percent. Nonresidential construction materials prices are up 4.7 percent year over year and up 1 percent on a monthly basis. The price of natural gas fell 13.1 percent in January and is down 31 percent on a year-over-year basis. In stark contrast, the price of crude petroleum rose 11.6 percent in January … Read more

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Hurricane Recovery Helps Construction Unemployment Rate Hit Lowest October Mark on Record

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WASHINGTON, D.C. – The not seasonally adjusted national construction unemployment rate was 4.5 percent in October, down 1.2 percent from a year ago, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported. It was the lowest October rate on record, matching the rate in 2006, according to analysis released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. Further, the construction industry employed 180,000 more workers than in October 2016. Construction unemployment rates were also down in 44 states on a year-over-year basis, unchanged in one (South Dakota) and up in five states. “Recovery from the various hurricanes that hit the United States appeared to … Read more

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Mortenson Raises Estimate for 2017 Chicago Construction Cost Increases to 4.5%

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CHICAGO, Ill. – With supplies of some key materials, equipment and labor tightening, Mortenson Construction has raised its estimate for nonresidential construction cost increases in Chicago, Illinois, for 2017 from 4 percent to 4.5 percent, the highest among the major markets that the national builder and developer tracks. This year’s increase follows a 2016 jump of 4.3 percent in Chicago, according to the Mortenson Construction Cost Index. “Chicago construction activity initially lagged other markets in recovering after the 2008 recession, but it has gradually caught up and is strong now,” said Dennis McGreal, chief estimator for Mortenson Construction’s Chicago office. … Read more

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