Michigan's dismal economy leaves thousands in construction trade trying to nail down work - by Nathan Hurst / The Detroit News
The number of Michigan workers employed in construction fell 15,000 in the past year alone, from 181,000 in May 2006 to 166,000 in May 2007, according to the Michigan Department of Labor & Economic Growth.
Local 58 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers has almost 20 percent of its 5,000-plus workforce drawing unemployment, a spokesman said, leaving about 1,000 licensed electricians seeking work from the union's job list each day.
A call to the Detroit Plumbers Local 98 office illustrates the unemployment turmoil: Between the on-hold music, a voice reminds out-of-work plumbers to re-register for unemployment benefits each month if they're still looking for a job.