Construction employment declined in 294 metro areas between May 2009 and May 2010, while holding steady in 27 and increasing in 16 areas, AGC officials reported.

U.S. construction workers continue to struggle finding work, a new report released by the Associated General Contractors of America says.

Construction employment declined in 294 metro areas between May 2009 and May 2010, while holding steady in 27 and increasing in 16 areas, AGC officials reported.

“With current demand soft and chances of a turnaround months away, construction firms are unwilling to expand payrolls,” said Ken Simonson, the association’s chief economist. “Contractors know there’s nothing to take up the slack once the stimulus runs its course.”

Eleven metro areas have each lost 10,000 construction jobs in the last year. One in three cities gained 1,000 jobs or more.

The association is asking Congress to soon pass funding for multiyear construction projects so firms can work to meet future demand.