my iron worker buddy relayed this to me ...

[madrchsod]

he went to the meeting of his local and it ended up in fist fights and threats against family members. the president of the union told them there are no jobs till maybe spring but they are not holding out hope for any iron going up then. with unemployment in this area over 15% and no new construction booked next year they are only offering some short term assignments for rebar tieing and some bridge work. the road construction in the area has`t offer the unemployed a chance to enter the trades. my former employer who makes road construction equipment is down to 4 days..the first time since the great depression. the local cement plant that furnished concrete to every road built in this area has been closed for over two years because of lack of demand.

maybe next spring

[MrSlayer]

1. The carpenters here are telling guys to come back in two years.

We (Electricians) have over 600 members out of work. Times are tough for ewveryone. Getting in fistfights doesn't solve anything though.

[grantcart]

2. Construction up unexpectedly

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x3998595