The Blog

National nonresidential construction spending decreased 0.1% in April, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Census Bureau data. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.248 trillion.

The last decade has been a prosperous one for both our industry in general, the open shop, and for fostering fair and equitable entrepreneurial development.  A good economy translated to strong demand for construction services.  At the state level, we benefitted from the tenure of Gov. Charlie Baker, a strong believer in fair and open competition.

Members who employ pipefitters and refrigeration technicians should be aware that changes have been made to the regulations for licensure that will add additional education hours to the licensure requirement for these trades effective 11/26.  These changes are included in the new version of the regulations, 528 CMR 11, that has been posted on the website of the Bureau of Pipefitters, Refrigeration Technicians and Sprinkler fitters.

Following four-and-a-half years of litigation, including jury and bench trials, Jon Friedmann, Eric Walz, and Casey Sack secured a complete victory for the firm’s client in the Business Litigation Session of Suffolk County Superior Court. The Rudolph Friedmann trial team won on all counts before the jury, defeated all claims before the judge, and prevailed on the client’s counterclaim for indemnification.

Given the time and resources all our ABC member companies devote to workforce development, I didn’t want to let National Apprenticeship Day on April 30 pass without noting the work of ABC MA in support of our collective efforts.

The national March 2025 not seasonally adjusted construction unemployment rate was 5.4%, unchanged from March 2024, according to a state-by-state analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data released by Associated Builders and Contractors. The analysis found that 19 states had lower estimated construction unemployment rates over the same period, 25 had higher rates and six states had the same rates. All states except for Connecticut, Maine, New Jersey and Rhode Island had construction unemployment rates below 10%.

The construction industry added 11,000 jobs in April, 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 grown by 143,000 jobs, an increase of 1.7%.

Construction input prices increased 0.5% in March, according to an Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Producer Price Index data. Nonresidential construction input prices increased 0.6% for the month.

The construction industry added 13,000 jobs on net in March, 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 risen by a mere 143,000 jobs, an increase of 1.8%.

Associated Builders and Contractors of Massachusetts has enjoyed a good relationship with Governor Maura Healey. So we were taken aback last month when, at the Massachusetts Building Trades Convention, the Governor announced an executive order calling on state agencies to conduct an analysis “to determine whether using a PLA [project labor agreement] is in the best interest of the Commonwealth or agency” for all projects valued at $35 million and above.