AGC: Construction industry loses another 53,000 jobs in December

Deteriorating demand for construction services continued to drag on the economy as new federal figures show another 53,000 construction workers lost their jobs in December and the industry’s unemployment rate climbed to 22.7 percent. The new employment data underscores the need to rethink health care legislation that singles out small construction firms for new mandates and fees, the Associated General Contractors of America noted.

“If it wasn’t for construction, our economic picture would actually be getting slightly better,” said the association’s chief economist, Ken Simonson. “Unfortunately, construction layoffs are dragging down the broader employment picture,” according to a Jan. 8 AGC of America release.

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