by Rebecca Walker — August 9, 2010 — The number of construction jobs in the United States has fallen to its lowest level in 14 years, according to data released by the U.S. Labor Department. The economy shed another 11,000 construction jobs in July, based on seasonally adjusted numbers. The construction unemployment rate was 17.3 percent, with 1.5 million construction workers unable to find work.
Even in a bad economy, construction workers can usually count on a summer surge to provide desperately needed work. Yet in July our nation shed another 11,000 construction jobs and employment in the industry fell to its lowest level in 14 years, says LIUNA, the Laborers’ International Union of North America.
By investing in the basics of our country — starting with a serious commitment to reauthorize the single biggest piece job creating legislation, a Surface Transportation Bill — we can get our economy moving again while leaving behind real assets for taxpayers and the next generation, says the organization.
