NASHVILLE, Tenn. - A group of local trade unions rallied for more local jobs for the Music City Center construction project Thursday morning.
Organizers said city officials promised the project would put local construction crews to work, but so far they said that has not happened.
"This $595 million project was promoted as 'Nashville's stimulus,' but there are too few paychecks going to Nashville families," said Matthew Capece, with the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America.
The rally started at 10 a.m. in front of the Metro Courthouse. The group then marched to the Music City Center construction site to hold an informational picket.
"They've outsourced them to cheaper labor out side of Tennessee. Nashville tax dollars supporting the state of Texas," said
Local trade unions that participated included the Mid-South Carpenters Regional Council, the Operating Engineers Local Union 369 and the Cement Masons Local Union 909.
Metro Councilmen Walter Hunt and Sam Coleman have pledged to investigate hiring practices following the protest.
"My pledge to you is I'll look into this matter and find out what's going on if fact you're done wrong we're going to see it stops and they get on board," said Coleman.
But the city said it is hiring local workers. In fact, they said they have the numbers to prove it.
"Our construction manager say over the life of the project have seventy to eighty percent local workers," said Holly McCall with the Convention Center Authority.
The councilmen said they're already talking with contractors on site to find out if there's any merit to these workers claims.
The Convention Center Authority said numbers fluctuate. Based on November's certified payroll, 60 percent of their one thousand employees are local workers.
