Associated Builders and Contractors called for repeal of federal PLA mandates and workforce visa reform following President Trump’s 2026 State of the Union address.
Legal Insights Expert Trent Cotney and Michele Meier, general manager at Clear Choice Restoration, say the proposed Dignity Act could create a structured legal pathway for undocumented workers, offering much-needed workforce stabilization for construction trades facing mounting labor shortages.
The construction industry must add nearly 350,000 workers in 2026 just to keep pace with demand, according to new modeling from Associated Builders and Contractors. Workforce shortages could worsen if spending grows faster than expected.
Construction employment declined by 11,000 in December and the unemployment rate among workers with recent construction experience jumped to 5.0 percent, AGC said, even as many firms still plan to add headcount in 2026 if they can find qualified workers amid persistent labor shortages.
October’s construction starts posted headline growth, but the gains were concentrated in a small number of megaprojects. Outside of those high-value builds, activity softened, and the industry’s labor picture dimmed further as job openings and hiring indicators pointed to ongoing contraction heading into 2026.
U.S. construction added 4,000 jobs in May, marking 13 straight months of gains despite hiring slowdown, tariff hikes and inflation-driven uncertainty across the industry.
As the Employee or Independent Contractor Classification is challenged in federal court, the Department of Labor is issuing guidance on how to determine workers as contractors or employees.
Battalion Brands appoints Andy Stofleth as chief strategy officer, leveraging his disaster recovery leadership to expand veteran-focused franchise opportunities.