Not sure about the Europe, but most of the construction done in the US is not unionized. The specialty areas certainly are (electricians, pipe-fitting, etc.) Bu

Not sure about the Europe, but most of the construction done in the US is not unionized. The specialty areas certainly are (electricians, pipe-fitting, etc.) But the structure and foundation is straight-up grunt work. And, as told to me by a friend, half the people on the site are inspectors. You've got the guy digging the hole, you've got the county inspector, you've got an OSHA inspector, and possibly an EPA inspector and union rep. That's a lot of people to doing nothing while the guy digs that hole. It's probably an exaggeration (we were talking at the bar) but all exaggerations are based on a bit of truth. And with all the reports of buildings toppling in China during the last few years I'd prefer the job be done right than done fast.