The vast majority of construction workers in Colorado choose to work free from union representation, with new data revealing that more than 94% of the state’s private construction workforce is nonunion. This aligns with a broader national trend, where open-shop construction remains the preferred choice for industry professionals.
Union Membership Declines Across the Construction Industry
According to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of 2024 state union membership data published by unionstats.com, at least 80% of private construction industry workers were nonunion in 41 states. Additionally, at least 90% of workers in the private construction industry did not belong to a union in 29 states, marking an increase from 26 states in 2022 and 24 states in 2021.
Nationwide, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that 7,978,000 construction industry workers were not members of a union in 2024, reflecting an increase of 12,000 from 2023. Meanwhile, overall union membership in the construction industry declined by 38,000 workers to 916,000.
ABC’s Perspective on Workforce Trends
“The construction industry is a powerful engine of economic growth, and the vast majority of its workforce—more than 87% of U.S. construction workers—choose not to belong to a union,” said Ben Brubeck, ABC vice president of regulatory, labor, and state affairs. “This overwhelming majority affirms that construction professionals value the freedom, flexibility, and economic opportunities provided by merit shop contractors.”
“ABC remains committed to developing a highly skilled workforce through apprenticeships, craft training, and safety programs,” Brubeck continued. “ABC and its members invested $1.6 billion in construction industry workforce development in 2022, providing nearly 1.3 million course attendees with craft, leadership, and safety education to advance their careers in the industry.”
A Growing Open-Shop Workforce
ABC offers 862 apprenticeship, craft, and safety training programs through its 300 ABC chapters, joint ventures, and affiliated organizations nationwide. These programs ensure that industry professionals receive hands-on training and career advancement opportunities, supporting the continued growth of the open-shop workforce.
To learn more about ABC’s workforce development initiatives and advocacy for merit shop construction, visit abc.org.
