Nonunion Construction Workers Hit Record High in 24 States
Event summary
- 90% of construction workers in 24 states were nonunion members in 2025.
- Record 9 million nonunion construction workers compared to 995,000 union members in 2025.
- ABC opposes government-mandated project labor agreement policies.
- Construction industry faces a worker shortage of 349,000 in 2026.
The big picture
The data underscores a long-term trend of declining union membership in the construction sector, reflecting broader shifts toward merit-based employment models. ABC's advocacy against union-only rules highlights the tension between labor organizations and industry groups over worker choice and project labor agreements. The construction industry's challenges, including workforce shortages and economic pressures, will shape policy debates and operational strategies in 2026.
What we're watching
- Regulatory Advocacy
- How ABC's opposition to project labor agreements will influence state and federal policies.
- Workforce Dynamics
- Whether the construction industry can address a worker shortage of 349,000 in 2026.
- Economic Pressures
- The impact of economic uncertainty, inflation, and high interest rates on construction labor markets.
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