Union construction workers in the United States are almost 17 percent more productive than workers in nonunion projects, according to a three-year study of 1,185 projects in the United States and Europe.

The study also found construction jobs sites that mix union and nonunion labor are much less productive than fully unionized jobs.

“That might come as a surprise to people who don’t know the construction industry. But the difference is not surprising to people who know about our ongoing partnership with union employers to develop and support very demanding apprenticeship programs. Because of this, new union workers are equipped with top flight skills, and experienced construction workers have great opportunities to improve and upgrade their skills,” says Painters and Allied Trades General President James Williams. “Of course they’re more productive.”

The findings are part of a study conducted by Independent Project Analysis, an organization that provides quantitative analysis of capital project effectiveness.

More

Find out more about union building and construction trades.

Read about union building and construction apprentice programs.