CBTU Warns of Tariff Risks to North American Construction Jobs
Event summary
- CBTU Executive Director Sean Strickland addressed 4,000 UA members at its 41st convention in San Diego, including 1,000 Canadian delegates.
- UA delegates passed a resolution opposing tariffs, citing job losses and supply chain disruptions.
- Strickland warned that tariffs have added $20,000–$40,000 to average home prices in California, with higher impacts in major markets.
- CBTU welcomed a temporary tariff pause but emphasized ongoing policy challenges.
- UA and CBTU aim to collaborate on major infrastructure projects in energy, critical minerals, and transportation.
The big picture
The CBTU-UA alliance underscores the growing interdependence of North American construction labor markets, particularly as infrastructure investments accelerate. Tariff policies remain a critical flashpoint, with potential ripple effects across supply chains and housing affordability. The partnership's success hinges on balancing political pressures with operational realities in a high-stakes regulatory environment.
What we're watching
- Tariff Policy Impact
- How sustained tariff pauses or reversals will affect construction material costs and project timelines.
- Cross-Border Collaboration
- Whether UA and CBTU can maintain momentum on joint infrastructure projects amid political shifts.
- Labor Market Dynamics
- The pace at which tariff-driven job losses in manufacturing and construction could reshape North American labor markets.
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