Poor weather may explain the month's dreary showing.
The industry lost 93,000 jobs in the United States last year.
Numbers are spurred by construction of hospitals, universities, and military-related construction
Subs find they must lay off workers and take up other trades to make ends meet.
Construction economists warn builders to brace for higher prices for building materials next year.
Trade association economist says crossover work by contractors is skewing national employment numbers.
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