Labor Construction Unemployment Stuck at 17.7%, Despite Gains
The construction industry's unemployment rate increased in January to 17.7% from December's 16%, but it was much lower than the 22.5% rate a year earlier, says the federal Bureau of Labor Statistics. The agency's Feb. 3 monthly employment update showed construction gaining a further 21,000 jobs in January, after adding 31,000 in December 2011. That brings the industry's total employment to its highest level in two years.