Industry, union officials join together to keep construction activities moving during coronavirus pandemic

Sound Transit East Link Tunnel excavation.

As the spreading of the coronavirus continues to keep officials at all levels scrambling, one thing remains constant in the U.S.—construction. Officials in both the construction industry and unions want to keep it that way, and have joined together to keep jobsites exempt from required shutdowns.

States like Illinois, Ohio, Indiana, Michigan and Wisconsin have made construction activities exempt, but how long they will remain that way is unclear.

Stephen Sandherr, chief executive officer of the Associated General Contractors of America, and Sean McGarvey, president of North America’s Building Trades Unions, issued the following joint statement:

“Government officials at all levels should treat the construction industry and the work it performs as vital and essential to the critical industries that must remain in operation. Construction workers provide an invaluable economic service, maintaining and improving the nation’s infrastructure, including critically important energy and communication systems, roads and bridges, and social infrastructure, including police, fire and health care facilities.

“Construction workers’ unique skills are essential now and in the coming weeks to construct, maintain, and repair critical infrastructure, and to build temporary health facilities and retrofit and expand existing ones.

“Labor and management construction industry partners continue to monitor and provide guidance on all recommended health and safety jobsite precautions for construction workers so that proper measures are deployed to ensure a safe work environment for those on the job.”

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