WASHINGTON, DC – January 29, 2025 – Today, North America’s Building Trades Unions (NABTU) President Sean McGarvey issued the following statement:

 “Despite macroeconomic headwinds, including high interest rates that provided challenges for project sponsors and investors, building trades union membership continues to rise. We proudly announce that NABTU affiliates achieved a net membership growth of 49,554 in 2024. This increase, combined with 2023’s record growth, marks the most significant consecutive expansion of the building trades since the 1950s.

“The latest Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data confirms that the union membership rate in construction continues to outpace the overall labor market. However, it’s important to note that BLS estimates, based on small sample surveys, fail to capture the full picture of union construction. NABTU’s verified net gain of nearly 50,000 members in 2024, based on actual headcounts, represents real, documented growth, officially reported to the U.S. Department of Labor by each NABTU-affiliated union. This sustained increase reflects the steady market share expansion we have experienced since 2012.

“This surge in union membership within the construction trades secures the livelihoods of millions of working families and strengthens America’s middle class. Additionally, in 2024, the building trades had a record-breaking 314,958 apprentices enrolled in its registered apprenticeship programs nationwide. This unmatched workforce development investment rooted in collective bargaining with our contractor partners ensures a robust pipeline of the most highly skilled workers to meet industry demands. With a strong construction economy ahead, we remain confident in continuing this momentum – expanding opportunities for even more workers to join our ranks and building a stronger, more resilient workforce for generations to come.”

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