The gap at the top of the 63-foot tall Michigan Labor Legacy Landmark represents labor's unfinished tasks.

But on Aug. 21, one of those tasks was officially placed in the "finished" column, as the steel arch itself was dedicated in a site off Jefferson Ave near Detroit's Hart Plaza.

The legacy landmark project was begun two years ago with the commitment of a committee of organized labor leaders, who agreed to raise money for construction from unions, rank-and-file members and friends of labor.

"Our goal," said project president Gerald Banton, "is to honor the working men and women who built our city, describe labor's rich heritage and inspire the public with labor's vision for the future."

Mission accomplished. The gleaming $1.4 million stainless steel arch is the largest monument to organized labor in the Western Hemisphere. It is also surrounded by 14 granite markers with bronze artwork depicting labor history, and marble tiles on a small stage at the base include numerous quotes that extol the virtues of labor. The most significant of the inscribed quotes is from Martin Luther King Jr.: "The arc of history bends toward justice."

At night, two dancing lights representing a spark connect the arch at the top and represent labor's energy.

Metro Detroit AFL-CIO President Donald Boggs, who acted as secretary-treasurer for the project, said the building trades "brought their skills and solidarity to the project. They worked as a team, and truly brought us a wonderful monument."

The design of artists David Barr and Sergio DeGiusti was chosen from among 50 entries. Barr also praised the work of the building trades on the project, and told the attendees at the dedication about how frustrating it was to align the two sections of the arch, which weigh a total of 30 tons.

Barr said the crew of iron workers spend four-and-a-half hours one morning trying to make the alignment perfect, but just couldn't make it happen. They tried something different after lunch, and the sections came together perfectly. Barr said the work of the building trades workers could be summed up by what Iron Workers Local 25 member Joe Malinao said at the time, "my name's not going to be on the arch, but my heart is in it."

Among the crafts working on the arch and surrounding area were bricklayers, carpenters, cement masons, electrical workers, iron workers, laborers, operating engineers and tile masons. Four companies were in on supervising various aspects of the construction: Barton-Malow, Turner Construction, Aristeo, and Walbridge Aldinger.

The Greater Detroit Building and Construction Trades Council and the Associated General Contractors of America, Greater Detroit Chapter also provided help for the project.

Just after the dedication ceremony was completed, Shawn Kearney of Tile, Marble and Terrazzo Workers Local 32 and Boom Stone set the final circular section of verde marble in the stage located below the arch. That circular section sealed a time capsule.

Kearney has been on the job about six weeks, and said this is one of his most memorable jobs. "People have asked me why I'm in a union, and I tell them that being in a union has allowed me to enjoy a pretty good living," he said. "So it's been an honor and it's been fantastic to be a part of a project like this, something that honors organized labor and will be around for years to come."

Among the union reps attending the dedication of the Labor Legacy Monument are (l-r) Steve Sutton (Sheet Metal Workers 80), Mike Clem (Glaziers and Glassworkers 357), Dave Bremerkamp and Tim O'Connell (Asbestos Workers 25), Jim Hamric (Iron Workers 25), Tim Ochalek and Clay Hawthorne (Tile, Marble and Terrazzo 32), Pete Oreski and Nick Bosak (Iron Workers 25), Charlie Colo and Ray Chapman (Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers 1), Shorty Gleason (Iron Workers 25) and Jerry O'Malley (BAC International Union).