Economists say severe weather helped cause job losses.

Industry's unemployment rate rises to 6.4% from December's 5.1% but improves from year-earlier 7.3%.

BLS reports construction added 5,000 jobs in Nov., a more modest gain than in Oct. and Sept.

Industry's unemployment rate dips to 3.6% from Sept. 4.1%, year-earlier 4.5%, BLS reports.

Nonresidential specialty contractors add 9,300 positions, heavy-civil segment gains 7,100.

Nearly all industry sectors gained jobs, led by specialty trade contractors, which added 15,300 positions.

Construction unemployment rate falls to 3.4% in July, lowest monthly figure since at least January 2000.