U.S. Labor Department Reports Decline in Construction Jobs

The jobs crisis in the construction industry deteriorated further in May, according to data released today by the U.S. Labor Department. The number of construction jobs fell by 35,000, which eliminated the modest gains made the two previous months. Construction unemployment remained near Depression-era levels at 20.1 percent. Currently, nearly 1.8 million construction workers are still looking for work.

Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA, made the following statement today regarding the jobs report:

• Construction workers are one of our nation’s most valuable assets, yet the latest job figures show they’re being neglected. The modest gains we saw earlier this year have been wiped out, and the numbers suggest that many construction workers have simply stopped looking for jobs.
• How much longer will Washington leave these men and women behind? Congress needs to act on jobs-creating legislation that would put men and women to work and provide desperately needed investment in our transportation systems, water resources, school facilities and other basics of America.
• That’s why LIUNA and its allies have launched Build America 2010 – to make the strongest case yet for investment that will allow our country to compete in the 21st century, create hundreds of thousands of jobs and leave a positive legacy and real assets for future generations.
• The time for waiting is over. Safe roads, strong bridges, clean water, modern schools – we can have all of these things and provide good jobs for working families if Washington gets serious about building America.

Source: http://www.dol.gov/