Construction employment declined in the District of Columbia and every state except South Dakota in April, an analysis by the Associated General Contractors (AGC) of America of new government data shows.
At the same time, the association released a new survey that finds that rising project cancellations are forcing many firms to furlough or terminate employees even as federal relief measures help avoid further job losses. Association officials urged Washington officials to act quickly on measures like new infrastructure funding, liability protections for employers, and extending the Paycheck Protection Program.
“Today’s state employment report shows how widespread—and deep—the job losses have been among construction workers, despite a smattering of new or accelerated projects,” AGC's Chief Economist Ken Simonson said in a statement. “Meanwhile, our latest survey indicates that the paycheck loan program has enabled some companies to retain or add workers for now, but that relief will expire soon if not extended.”
Simonson said the loss of 975,000 construction jobs—or 13%—nationwide from March to April pushed down industry employment to multi-year lows in many states. New York experienced the largest construction job loss over the month (-166,200 jobs or -40.8%). Vermont had the largest percentage decline (-46.3%, -6,800 construction jobs). South Dakota was the only state to add construction jobs over the month (500 jobs, 2.0%).
The economist noted that the association’s latest survey found that more than two-thirds (69%) of the 742 respondents report having a project canceled or delayed since the start of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in early March. An increasing share of respondents reported that projects they expected to start in June or later had been canceled.
Project cancellations have forced 30% of firms to furlough or terminate employees. But an equal share has added workers, including some firms that laid off employees earlier, according to the AGC survey.
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SOURCE: Associated General Contractors of America
