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Labor Day is a holiday set aside to give our nation the opportunity to pause and celebrate the American worker. However, there is one member of the country’s work force who is often overlooked — the construction industry craft professional. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, more than 7.5 million construction workers are employed in the United States.

Historically, Labor Day is associated with labor unions, but it is actually a day to honor all workers, regardless of labor affiliation. The Labor Department reports that in 2007 only 13 percent of the workers in the construction industry were members of a labor union. The majority of construction workers — 87 percent — have chosen not to belong to a labor union.

Merit shop construction professionals are masters of their own destiny and thrive in a free-market environment. They are competitive and multi-skilled, with no limit to their opportunity to advance as far as their skills and dreams allow.

So, on this Labor Day take a look around and say thanks to all of the construction professionals, regardless of labor affiliation. These skilled workers build our offices, schools, hospitals, churches, sports arenas, restaurants and shopping centers that are central to our lives and make our communities unique. They are the electricians, millwrights, carpenters, welders, painters, pipefitters, roofers, masons, plumbers, ironworkers, heavy equipment operators, metal building assemblers, sheet metal workers, drywall installers, steelworkers, road pavers, concrete finishers and others who work hard every day building America.

Few industries touch our daily lives in so many meaningful ways, and no part of our environment exists without the sweat, hard work and dedication of the American construction craft professional.

Have a happy Labor Day.

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Steve Cona III is marketing/communications director for the Associated Builders & Contractors Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, which reports 120 member companies in Lee and Collier counties and other 435 member companies on the west coast. Based in Tampa, the organization is the local chapter of a national construction association representing 26,000 construction and construction-related firms in 81 chapters across the United States.