The President Visits Milwaukee
Unemployed worker waits for Obama outside Master Lock
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Melissa McCrady reports. Video by 620wtmj.com
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MILWAUKEE - A man from Milwaukee, desperate for a job, hoped to get President Barack Obama's attention when he came to the Brew City for a visit at Master Lock.
Pete Marrari stood outside the north side company since 9:00 a.m., advertising a serious message.
"I mean this is embarrassing right now, saying I want to work, but it's like embarrassment is not an issue," Marrari told TODAY'S TMJ4's Melissa McCrady.
"The issue is to get back to work so I can hold my head high."
He was laid of from Gordon Flesch in 2009 after working for decades as an electronics technician.
Marrari, 55, is struggling to make ends meet.
"Just because I'm over 50 doesn't mean I don't have a purpose any longer."
Today, he's spreading that message, standing on the corner of North 32nd and West Clarke Streets with his portfolio.
"I'd like (the President) to know we're not giving up in Milwaukee. We want to get back to work."
Master Lock decided to insource 150 jobs from China back to its Milwaukee headquarters - the reason for Mr. Obama's decision to visit, and Marrari thinks that's a good start.
"I'm glad he came here to show Master Lock, so other companies who might want to farm out the jobs might not do so and keep the jobs within the city and state instead of overseas."
Marrari says he also belongs to several networking groups, but so far, he remains jobless.
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