Labor Day isn’t just a long weekend for this industry—it’s a tribute to the people who pour concrete at sunrise, set steel in the wind and turn plans into places. The holiday was created to honor workers’ contributions, a tradition that started with a New York City parade in 1882 and became a federal holiday in 1894. For contractors, it’s a chance to recognize crews and reaffirm why construction remains one of America’s most essential callings.
THE ECONOMIC ENGINE YOU BUILD EVERY DAY
Even in a mixed economy, construction’s footprint is massive. The latest federal data show U.S. construction spending at a $2.136 trillion annual rate in June 2025, underscoring how much of the nation’s growth runs through your schedules, bids and safety plans. Public works remain a stabilizer as the market recalibrates.
Momentum also continues from the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which invests about $350 billion in federal highway programs through 2026—capital that translates into lettings, resurfacing, bridges, and job opportunities across the country.
On the jobs front, construction employment has held up in 2025, with industry headcount up by roughly 96,000 year over year as of July, according to ABC’s analysis of BLS data. That stability matters—especially when you’re planning crews, training and equipment purchases into Q4.
A WORKFORCE WORTH CELEBRATING—AND GROWING
If Labor Day honors the people behind the work, it also spotlights the challenge in front of us: finding and developing the next generation. A 2024 national workforce survey showed that 94% of contractors reported difficulty filling open positions, with more than half citing project delays tied to labor shortages. Those conditions persist into 2025 as retirements accelerate.
That’s why CONEXPO-CON/AGG has made workforce a year-round focus—featuring leaders who are tackling recruiting, training and retention head-on. The new “Building America’s Promise” series spotlights executives and practitioners elevating people and skills as strategic priorities.
On Labor Day, those stories remind us that investing in people is the most durable competitive advantage a contractor can build.
PRIDE IN THE CRAFT—AND THE CARE
Labor Day is also about how we protect each other. Heat, traffic and shift work don’t pause for holidays. Simple, practical steps—hydration protocols, shade and rest cycles and reinforced training—help crews beat the summer heat and finish strong. And as the season transitions, doubling down on traffic and work-zone awareness keeps crews and the public safer.
Just as important is the mental health of your teams. High stress, long hours, and isolation take a toll, and leaders set the tone for speaking up and getting help. Normalizing these conversations—alongside safety and quality—strengthens retention and culture.
WHAT LABOR DAY MEANS ON YOUR JOB
1) Recognize the craft—and the commitment. A short toolbox talk goes a long way: call out the milestones your team has delivered and the apprentices who leveled up this year. Tie that pride to the bigger picture: roads reopened, schools expanded power delivered. The public notices—even if they only see the ribbon cutting.
2) Invest in the pipeline. Workforce development is something every company needs to invest in. Try partnerships with high schools, community colleges and apprenticeship programs; use paid training that turns helpers into operators; and offer predictable career ladders. These strategies help attract and retain the most talented workers.
3) Lead with purpose, not just production. Workers want to be part of something that matters. The fact is, you’re literally building America—from resurfaced miles to new water mains to factories and data centers. Don’t forget to celebrate your workers who are doing the hard work every day.
A HOLIDAY BUILT FOR BUILDERS
Labor Day began as a way to honor working people who were changing the country’s trajectory. Today, construction professionals are still doing exactly that—rebuilding bridges, modernizing airports, hardening grids and shaping skylines.
As you fire up the grill or head to a parade, know this: the roads folks drive to get there, the parks they gather in, and the homes they return to all exist because crews like yours showed up—early, late and in every kind of weather. On Labor Day, we celebrate that resolve. On Tuesday, we get back to work building what’s next.
This Labor Day learn how to create teams that stay in construction, explore strategies for building a more diverse workforce and better understand why job training matters at every level.
Photo Credit: Photo Courtesy CONEXPO-CON/AGG 365
