Nonunion Construction Workers, the 2026 Harris Poll, and What It Means for South Texas Merit Shop Contractors

The May 6, 2026, Harris Poll, commissioned by Associated Builders and Contractors, delivers data that South Texas contractors can use as ammunition heading into the 2026 midterms. This article explains who nonunion construction workers are, their role in the industry, and what recent polling means for South Texas merit shop contractors.

This article is intended for South Texas contractors, policymakers, and anyone interested in the impact of federal procurement policy on nonunion construction workers. It covers the latest Harris Poll findings, the definition and role of nonunion workers, and how these issues affect local projects and advocacy.

Key Takeaways

The May 6, 2026, Harris Poll, commissioned by Associated Builders and Contractors, delivers data that South Texas contractors can use as ammunition heading into the 2026 midterms. Here’s what matters right now:

• The merit shop dominates the electorate. In Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin, nonunion construction workers comprise roughly 76–98% of the construction workforce electorate—validating what ABC South Texas members see daily on their own projects.
• Nonunion workers lean toward Trump by 19 points. In three of the six surveyed states, nonunion workers supported President Trump at rates approximately 19 percentage points higher than union members, signaling a distinct political profile tied to procurement policy.
• Best-value procurement wins bipartisan support. 83% of nonunion construction workers and 73% of union workers agree the federal government should award contracts based on best value, safety record, and performance—not union status.
• Texas has outsized stakes despite not being surveyed. As one of the most merit-shop-friendly markets in the country, South Texas contractors bidding on JBSA military construction, federal infrastructure, and data center projects face direct consequences from PLA mandates that exclude nearly 90% of the construction workforce.
• ABC is turning data into advocacy. ABC national and ABC South Texas are leveraging these findings in Washington and with the Texas Congressional delegation to push for federal procurement reform before the 2026 midterms.

Who Are Nonunion Construction Workers in Today’s Construction Industry?

Definition of Nonunion Workers

Let’s define terms. Throughout this article, “nonunion workers,” “nonunion construction,” and “merit shop” all refer to construction workers whose pay, benefits, and conditions are not set by collective bargaining agreements with a labor organization.

A merit shop is a nonunion construction firm where pay, benefits, and working conditions are negotiated individually between workers and employers, rather than through collective bargaining agreements.

Roles and Trades

These are carpenters, electricians, plumbers, equipment operators, welders, and industrial craft workers building commercial, industrial, infrastructure, refinery, and data center projects across San Antonio, Corpus Christi, the Eagle Ford, and the Rio Grande Valley. Non-union construction workers can negotiate their own wages, which vary based on specialized skills, local market conditions, and individual negotiation abilities.

Employment Structure

Unlike union construction jobs that operate through hiring halls, nonunion workers are typically employed directly by contractors and often classified as “at-will” employees, meaning either party can end the employment relationship at any time. Union construction workers are part of a labor organization that negotiates wages, benefits, and working conditions on their behalf, while non-union workers negotiate their terms directly with construction companies.

Reputable merit shop firms in South Texas use E-Verify, pay overtime properly, and invest in safety training through programs like ABC’s apprenticeships and OSHA certifications. Roughly 69% of nonunion workers have health insurance, compared with approximately 96% of union members, though many nonunion workers have the opportunity to earn competitive wages and access comprehensive benefits packages—availability varies significantly by contractor.

Nonunion construction workers make up approximately 88.9% of the construction workforce in the U.S., according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. When federal policy favors union-only project labor agreements, it effectively sidelines the overwhelming majority of the available construction workforce from public projects.

The May 6, 2026, Harris Poll: What It Says About Nonunion Construction Workers

ABC commissioned The Harris Poll, released May 6, 2026, to measure political and policy attitudes among construction workers in six presidential and Senate battleground states: Arizona, Georgia, Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.

Core findings:

• Nonunion construction workers comprised roughly 76–98% of the construction workforce electorate in each surveyed state
• In three of the six states, nonunion workers reported supporting Donald Trump at rates approximately 19 percentage points higher than union construction workers
• Both union and nonunion workers overwhelmingly prefer best-value procurement over mandated PLAs

ABC national president and CEO Michael Bellaman called the data a “midterm wake-up call” for Washington. The Trump administration continues to support the Biden-era PLA mandate despite these findings—a policy that runs counter to the preferences of nearly 90% of the construction workforce.

Union vs. Nonunion: How the Construction Workforce Electorate Really Breaks Down

Workforce Composition

Bureau of Labor Statistics data reinforces the Harris Poll findings. Union membership in construction hit a record low of just 10.3% in 2024, meaning nonunion workers outnumber union members by approximately 8.7 to 1.

Key Contrasts in Today’s Industry

• Wages: In 2025, union construction workers earned an average base wage of $33.86/hr, while nonunion workers averaged $25.16/hr. Union wages are typically standardized, while non-union wages can vary widely depending on individual negotiations and contractors’ budgets.
• Benefits: Union workers often receive comprehensive benefits, such as employer-funded health insurance and pensions, whereas non-union workers’ benefits vary significantly.
• Flexibility: Non-union workers often enjoy greater flexibility in job selection and scheduling, allowing them to pursue specialized skills and work for different contractors without restrictions from union rules.
• Advancement: Performance-based advancement is common in non-union settings, where workers can advance more quickly based on contributions rather than seniority.

Nonunion workers may have variable levels of training and experience, leading to inconsistent skill standards across the private industry. However, many are graduates of ABC apprenticeship programs, community colleges, and employer-sponsored training that meet or exceed union training standards.

What Construction Workers Think About Project Labor Agreements and Federal Procurement

Project labor agreements are pre-hire collective bargaining agreements requiring contractors on certain construction projects to follow union rules, pay into union benefit plans, and often hire through union hiring halls.

The Harris Poll’s most significant finding for federal policy: 83% of nonunion construction workers and 73% of union workers agree the federal government should select contractors based on best value, safety record, and performance—not union affiliation.

This consensus from both union and nonunion workers undercuts the political argument for PLA mandates. Current federal policy—the Biden-era executive order from 2022—requires PLAs on direct federal construction contracts of $35 million or more.

Nonunion contractors often offer greater flexibility in staffing and scheduling than union contractors. Nonunion labor can offer more competitive pricing for smaller projects due to generally lower costs. When the PLA mandates that force-merit-shop firms either sign union-style agreements or walk away, they disrupt proven employment relationships and restrict which qualified contractors can deliver high-quality projects for taxpayers.

Why the Harris Poll Matters in a Merit-Shop Stronghold Like South Texas

Texas was not part of the six-state Harris Poll sample. Yet the findings validate what South Texas contractors already see: the merit shop is the construction workforce here.

South Texas represents one of the most merit-shop-friendly regions in the country. The share of nonunion construction workers in the San Antonio metro, the Eagle Ford Shale, the Port of Corpus Christi region, and along the I-35 and I-37 corridors typically meets or exceeds the national average of 88.9%.

Major South Texas construction projects relying heavily on nonunion workers:

• Military construction and renovation at Joint Base San Antonio (JBSA) Lackland, Randolph, and Fort Sam Houston
• Infrastructure upgrades funded by federal transportation and water bills in Bexar, Comal, Guadalupe, and surrounding counties
• Industrial and energy projects along the Coastal Bend and Eagle Ford Shale, including refinery expansions and pipeline work
• Data center and mission-critical facility construction is emerging around the San Antonio–Austin corridor

When PLA mandates apply to these federal or federally assisted construction projects, highly qualified South Texas merit shop contractors and their nonunion workers can be frozen out despite decades of local experience and safety performance.

PLA Mandates, Union Status, and the Stakes for South Texas Federal Construction Projects

How PLA Requirements Disadvantage Nonunion Construction Workers

The Biden administration’s PLA mandate applies to federal construction contracts of $35 million or more and may also extend to certain federally assisted infrastructure projects.

How typical federal PLA requirements disadvantage nonunion construction workers and merit shop contractors:

• Requires adherence to union work rules and job classifications that may conflict with established merit shop practices
• Limits the ability to staff projects with long-term employees, pushing firms toward hiring through a union hiring hall
• Forces contributions into union benefit funds that nonunion workers may never vest in—effectively double-paying for benefits
• Creates less flexibility in how projects are staffed and managed

Labor Cost and Safety Considerations

Hiring nonunion construction workers generally offers lower initial labor costs and greater operational flexibility, though it may introduce risks related to inconsistent skill levels and higher turnover compared to union labor. Nonunion sites often face higher attrition, which can lead to project delays. Nonunion construction sites may require more rigorous oversight to maintain high safety standards compared to union sites—statistically, union-led sites tend to have fewer safety violations (40% fewer by some measures) and lower injury rates due to rigorous training.

South Texas Federal and Military Construction Arenas

South Texas federal and military construction arenas where PLA policy decisions hit hardest:

• Major construction at Joint Base San Antonio
• Federal courthouse and GSA projects in the San Antonio metro
• U.S. Army Corps of Engineers civil works and flood control projects
• Federally funded highway, bridge, and port infrastructure tied to IIJA dollars

Consider this scenario: a San Antonio merit-shop general contractor with an experienced safety team and a long-standing nonunion workforce cannot bid competitively on a $50 million federal facility because the solicitation requires a union-only PLA. That’s the practical reality PLA mandates create on job sites across South Texas.

How ABC South Texas and ABC National Are Using the Poll in Advocacy

ABC serves as the national voice of the merit shop. ABC South Texas is the regional chapter serving contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and industry professionals across San Antonio and 22 South Texas counties.

ABC National is using the Harris Poll in Washington to:

• Demonstrate that nonunion construction workers are the overwhelming majority of the workforce electorate
• Show that both union and nonunion workers believe federal agencies should select contractors based on best value
• Argue for rescinding or reforming the Biden-era PLA mandate and restoring open competition

ABC South Texas is leveraging the poll locally by:

• Sharing data with the Texas Congressional delegation during office visits and fly-ins
• Incorporating findings into chapter-level advocacy materials, webinars, and member briefings
• Equipping member firms with talking points for conversations with policymakers
• Coordinating with ABC National to provide local project examples from San Antonio, Corpus Christi, and the Rio Grande Valley

Like ABC Carolinas, which advocates for the preservation of open competition and the protection of right-to-work laws, ABC South Texas opposes policies that exclude nonunion workers from public construction projects.

South Texas Federal Infrastructure, Energy, and Data Center Work: What’s on the Line?

South Texas stands at an all-time high for federal infrastructure investment opportunities. IIJA-funded projects, military construction, energy sector work, and emerging data center builds all represent potential growth for merit shop contractors—if PLA mandates don’t lock them out.

What’s at stake if PLA mandates expand:

• Nonunion workers shut out of construction projects funded by their own tax dollars
• Merit shop contractors lose opportunities for growth and multi-year backlog stability
• Outside PLA-only contractors are flown in, with fewer opportunities for local workforce participation
• Reduced competition drives up costs and reduces innovation in local communities

The immense value the merit shop brings to South Texas—affordable prices, attracting talent from the region, and delivering long-lasting infrastructure—depends on maintaining a level playing field in federal procurement.

Mobilizing Merit Shop Voices Before the 2026 Midterms

Construction workers and contractors are not passive observers. 2026 is a pivotal year where control of Congress may turn on turnout in construction-heavy regions.

How South Texas contractors can use the Harris Poll data:

• In conversations with staffers from the Texas Congressional delegation
• In letters and emails referencing poll statistics about the nonunion workforce size
• In local media op-eds highlighting how PLA mandates clash with worker choice

Practical steps for engagement:

1. Download the ABC Action App to track federal PLA-related alerts and contact members of Congress
2. Participate in ABC South Texas chapter visits to Capitol Hill
3. Support the ABC South Texas PAC to help elect candidates who back open competition
4. Brief supervisors and foremen on Harris Poll basics so they understand how national debates connect to their crews
5. Encourage eligible employees to register to vote and stay informed about procurement policy positions

The goal isn’t partisan—it’s ensuring any candidate who wants support from the South Texas construction industry understands that nonunion workers are the majority of the workforce and deserve fair access to public contracts.

How ABC South Texas Supports Nonunion Workers and Merit Shop Contractors

ABC South Texas helps merit shop contractors across 22 South Texas counties win work and deliver it safely, ethically, and profitably.

Key support for nonunion construction workers and employers:

• Apprenticeship programs: Structured apprenticeships combining paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction in electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and carpentry without requiring union membership
• Safety education: OSHA 10- and 30-hour courses, site-specific safety training, and safety leadership programs for field supervisors
• Business development: Networking events and best-practice sharing that help member firms improve performance

Associated Builders and Contractors invested approximately $1.6 billion in workforce development in 2022, with around 1.3 million course attendees participating in apprenticeships, craft training, and safety programs. This demonstrates ABC’s commitment to ensuring nonunion workers are highly skilled and deserve equal access to federal construction projects.

ABC South Texas upholds a merit-based culture and code of ethics that reinforces the reputation of builders in the region. The chapter promotes fair pay, proper worker classification, and compliance with prevailing wage and labor law requirements.

Contact ABC South Texas to learn about membership, apprenticeship enrollment, safety training calendars, and ways to plug into PLA-related advocacy before the 2026 midterms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are nonunion construction workers eligible to work on federal projects without joining a union?

Under current federal labor law, nonunion workers can work on federal construction projects as employees of qualified contractors—there’s no blanket requirement to belong to a union. However, when a project is covered by a mandated PLA, nonunion contractors may be required to use a hiring hall or contribute to union benefit plans, effectively pushing workers into union arrangements for that project. ABC advocates removing PLA mandates so workers can compete based on skill, safety, and value rather than union status.

Does the Harris Poll mean unions are going away in the construction industry?

No. The poll measures that nonunion workers make up the large majority of the construction workforce electorate in surveyed states. ABC South Texas isn’t trying to eliminate union jobs—the goal is ensuring public policy doesn’t mandate union-only arrangements that exclude nonunion workers from construction projects. Both union and nonunion workers will continue to play roles, but procurement rules shouldn’t discriminate against merit shop contractors or their employees.

How can my South Texas company help push back against PLA mandates before the 2026 elections?

Start by downloading the ABC Action App and signing up for ABC South Texas advocacy alerts. Meet with your U.S. Representative and Senators or their district staff to share how PLA mandates would affect specific local projects and nonunion workers on your payroll. Support the ABC South Texas PAC, participate in chapter legislative events, and provide real-world project examples ABC can use in Washington.

What is the difference between a merit shop contractor and a union contractor in practical terms?

A merit shop contractor is a nonunion firm that hires directly, sets pay and benefits based on performance and market conditions, and isn’t bound by union collective bargaining agreements or hiring hall systems. A union contractor signs agreements with construction unions, hires primarily through union halls, and follows union-negotiated wage scales and work rules. Both can be highly professional—the policy issue is whether federal agencies should force projects to use union-only arrangements.

Where can nonunion workers in South Texas get formal training and credentials without joining a union?

Nonunion workers can access formal training through ABC South Texas apprenticeship and craft training programs, which combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction. Non-union apprenticeships allow apprentices to earn competitive wages from day one while building toward journey-level credentials and trade-specific licenses. Local community colleges and employer-sponsored courses also provide instruction aligned with regional construction industry needs. Contact ABC South Texas for program schedules and entry requirements.