While Congress Neglects Responsibility on Highway Bill

Washington, D.C. (September 5, 2014) –Terry O’Sullivan, General President of LIUNA – the Laborers' International Union of North America – made the following statement on the Bureau of Labor Statistics August jobs report showing an uptick in the construction unemployment rate from 7.5 to 7.7% in August:

“With 12,000 more construction workers out of work in August than July and the overall jobs picture sluggish, it is more urgent than ever for Congress to do its job and address a long-term Highway Bill that would create hundreds of thousands of good jobs and address our country’s infrastructure needs.”

 “One in four of our nation’s bridges remain deficient or obsolete. Poor road conditions continue to contribute to a third of traffic fatalities – about 10,000 lives needlessly lost each year.”

 “There is still time to pass a full-investment long-term reauthorization this year. LIUNA will continue to support true leaders who fight for good jobs and the safety of our roads and bridges.”