The Blog

The construction industry added 4,000 jobs on net in January, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has increased by 178,000 jobs, an increase of 2.2%.

Associated Builders and Contractors reported that its Construction Backlog Indicator increased to 8.4 months in January, according to an ABC member survey conducted Jan. 21 to Feb. 3. The reading is unchanged from January 2024.

Associated Builders and Contractors celebrated a Feb. 7 decision by the U.S. Department of Defense that will restore merit-based competition for taxpayer-funded construction projects procured by military agencies.

Glen Pisani of MAS Building & Bridge has a piece of advice for general contractors when it comes to steel erectors: “Make sure the people on your site are qualified, because mistakes can be catastrophic and skimping on quality isn’t the way to save money.”

Massachusetts has established comprehensive regulations under 454 CMR 27.00 to clarify and expand upon the state’s wage laws. Below, we’ll explore key aspects of these standards to help employers and employees better understand their rights and responsibilities.

National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.2% in December 2024, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.241 trillion.

The construction industry had 217,000 job openings on the last day of December 2024, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. JOLTS defines a job opening as any unfilled position for which an employer is actively recruiting. Industry job openings decreased by 55,000 last month and are down by 217,000 from the same time last year.

The focus of our most recent ABC Massachusetts Board of Directors meeting centered on progress review on the goals set forth in the ABC MA and Gould Construction Institute 2025-28 Strategic Plan. It is important to take this opportunity to highlight our Chapter’s top priorities as we embark into 2025.

The at-will employment doctrine is a double-edged sword in the workplace, offering both freedom and uncertainty. It gives employees the flexibility to walk away from a job without strings attached, while employers can make staffing changes swiftly without protracted legal complications. Yet, with this freedom comes a shadow of unpredictability—where job security can feel fragile, and a slight shift in business priorities could lead to sudden dismissal. While the doctrine may appear straightforward, it exists within a complex web of protections and exceptions, ensuring that beneath the surface of at-will employment, certain rights remain firmly guarded.

The construction industry will need to attract an estimated 439,000 net new workers in 2025 to meet anticipated demand for construction services, according to a proprietary model developed and released today by Associated Builders and Contractors. In 2026, the industry will need to bring in 499,000 new workers as spending picks up in response to presumed lower interest rates.