nyc union jobs for sprinkler fitters and heat fitters

Many good people have been facing layoffs and foreclosures since 2009 and probably earlier with still no work in site. When is this work going to really pick up? I keep hearing it will, but it never does. Where are the jobs? I have a relative who has been a sprinkler fitter with a union for many many years and there is still no work in site. Good union men and women are still out of work and this has been the worst I have seen this in my lifetime. What is the real 411 on the situation? So many different opinions about the state of the economy. It went downhill in 2008 and is worsening. Things always get worse before climbing back up, but when is the up? Hard to tell.