Construction firms added 11,000 jobs in June and 64,000 over 12 months, as pay for craft workers climbed faster than for production workers overall, according to an analysis by the Associated General Contractors of America of new government data. Association officials cautioned, however, that future construction job gains are at risk unless Congress acts quickly to pass new highway and transit legislation before the current law expires on Sept. 30. Construction employment totaled 8,331,000 in June, seasonally adjusted, an increase of 11,000 from May. Over the past 12 months, the industry has added 64,000 jobs, an increase of 0.8 percent, outpacing the 0.3 percent increase in total nonfarm payroll employment. Gains in the industry were concentrated in nonresidential construction, with the steepest growth rate occurring in heavy and civil engineering construction, the sector that employs many highway and transit construction workers. Nonresidential firms added 19,900 employees in June and 113,400 positions or 2.3 percent over the past 12 months. Construction Firms Add 11,000 Jobs in June – tEDmag