Hundreds Of Men Sleeping On Streets Of Queens For Shot At Plumbers Union Apprenticeship Program

NEW YORK (CBSNewYork) -- Hundreds of young men are sleeping on the streets of Queens Sunday night for a shot at a job.

CBS2's Ali Bauman reported they are waiting for an application to the Plumbers Union Apprenticeship Program. One thousand applications are handed out in order Monday morning. After tests and interviews, only a percentage are accepted to the five-year program.

"It's a long shot, so hopefully I get it," Anthony Hughes said.

Signs on the training center tell applicants not to camp out, but if they listen, they don't really have a shot, like Mauricio Cruz who showed up Sunday afternoon. 

"I walked up, added every chair and three for every tent and came out to 1,226," Cruz said. "I know I'm after that. It's insane. I don't know if I'm gonna wait."

Many of the applicants waited through the rain on Saturday and the stifling heat on Sunday. Most are already plumbers looking for a promotion.

"The 'A' guys top out at $67 an hour. The 'B' guys top out at $40 an hour," Anthony Sala said.