Construction firms added 11,000 jobs in June and 64,000 over 12 months, as pay for craft workers climbed faster than for production workers overall, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data released today. Association officials cautioned, however, that future construction job gains are at risk unless Congress acts quickly to pass new highway and transit legislation before the current law expires on Sept. 30.
“Nonresidential construction firms have consistently added to their headcount and boosted pay at higher rates than other employers,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “However, the highest percentage gains in jobs are in the sector that is vulnerable to a lapse in federal support for highway, bridge and transit investments.”
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