Construction Unemployment Rate Rises as Jobs Growth Continues to be Outpaced by Those Looking for Work

Congress Can Help Close the Jobs Deficit with a Highway Bill that Fully Invests in America's Roads, Bridges and Transit Systems

WASHINGTON, Feb. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- LIUNA General President Terry O'Sullivan made the following statement on today's U.S. Labor Department jobs report, which showed unemployment in the construction industry rising from 16 percent in December to 17.7 percent in January as those looking for work outpaced the 21,000 new construction jobs created:

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110428/DC91600LOGO)

LIUNA applauds the on-going efforts of the Obama Administration to create jobs and help our economy recover from the worst recession since the Great Depression.

While we're encouraged to see the President's efforts are moving our country in the right direction, today's jobs report reveals more is needed to close the gap between those looking for work in construction and the number of new jobs being created in the industry.  Job growth is not happening fast enough.

With 1.4 million men and women ready, willing and able to go to work building this country, there is no better time for Congress to take action by passing a Highway Bill that fully invests in America's crumbling roads, bridges and transit systems.

The half-million members of LIUNA – the Laborers' International Union of North America – are on the forefront of the construction industry, a powerhouse of workers who are proud to build America.

SOURCE Laborers' International Union of North America