Construction Employment Declines by 5,000 in August
Construction employment showed little movement in August, dipping 5,000 below the July total but remaining 4,000 higher than a year ago, according to a recent analysis of new federal employment data by the Associated General Contractors of America. Association officials said the numbers are consistent with a pattern of small gains followed by slight decreases, as demand for construction remains weak.
“This report continues a long-running zigzag pattern of minimal up-and-down changes in construction employment,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “The free-fall has ended, but the seasonally adjusted employment total in August—5.5 million—has been virtually unchanged for a year and a half."