Workers rally, plead for more jobs

Some took the afternoon off by choice. Others had free time, thanks to the recession.

About 600 labor-union members rallied at Westlake Park on Wednesday to demand jobs at a time when labor officials estimate that construction unemployment is 35 percent.

"It's not just a recession, it's a depression," said Lee Newgent, executive secretary of the Seattle/King County Building and Construction Trades Council. The union members heard a litany of familiar public-works projects for which money or legislation has been approved, but the bulk of the work hasn't started yet, including the Highway 520 floating bridge and the Alaskan Way Tunnel.

At the same time, labor leaders and King County Executive Dow Constantine took the occasion to tout another jobs proposal — an expansion of the Washington State Convention Center.

Potential work

Newgent told the crowd that a bill to help enable that is alive in the state Legislature. A potential 2,200 construction jobs are at stake, along with permanent maintenance jobs and two new hotels, according to Newgent.

Seattle Mayor Mike McGinn likewise promised jobs, undaunted by his objections to the floating-bridge design and the tunnel financing. Workers reacted with light applause. Some interrupted his speech with calls chants of "Jobs now," and at one point, people shouted "What about now?" and "People are frustrated."

McGinn said adding light-rail to the 520 bridge would garner more public support and get it built sooner than with the high-occupancy-vehicle lanes being planned by the state.

Light-rail plans

Sound Transit is designing light rail across the I-90 floating bridge, but McGinn advocates rail on both bridges.

He announced that a contract will be signed in May to start the Mercer Street rebuild, and pointed to work on widening the Spokane Street Viaduct.

Soon, a First Hill Streetcar will be under construction, he said, along with work to outfit public and private buildings for better energy use.

Voters will be asked within the next two years to fund Ballard-to-West Seattle light rail as well as citywide broadband cable, he said.

Mike Foote, a union laborer, said he went to a Tacoma food bank last fall to help a fellow member who ran out of food for his children. "Proud men call my house — 'I'm losing my home,' they say — and I hear their lamentations," Foote said after the rally.

The worst-hit trades have been plumbers, pipe fitters and electricians, with unemployment 50 percent or higher, Newgent said. Laborers and ironworkers have withstood the downturn somewhat better, he said.

Apprentice boilermaker Bruce Delgado said he has worked only two full weeks in eight months.

"I might have to go on food stamps next month; praying that I don't," he said, standing next to his fiancée and 11-month-old daughter.

Mike Lindblom: 206-515-5631 or mlindblom@seattletimes.com