WTC owner: Memorial construction unhurt by walkout

NEW YORK — About 200 laborers stood down from their jobs for a second day Tuesday at the World Trade Center site, although the owner said the work stoppage had a minimal impact on the new skyscraper and transit hub there, and no impact on the memorial.

The Concrete Workers District Council, whose members have been without a contract since July 1, declined to comment. But some of the workers who stood or sat in a large group around a plaza agreed to discuss their concerns.

"We know that times are bad," said Pasquale Deodato, a concrete laborer who normally works on the Freedom Tower. "We're losing money."

Fellow concrete laborer Michael Pappalardi said it was "more like a silent protest; our work is not going to get done."

He said he expected the work stoppage to continue through the week, though he hoped it didn't.

"The mood is pretty dreary," he said. "If you don't work, you don't get paid."

He said the idea was to "eventually grind these jobs to a halt without the yelling and protesting and picketing."

Port Authority spokesman Steve Coleman said work remained on track for the memorial to open on the 10th anniversary of the terrorist attacks.

The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey owns the site.