Armed with whistles, snare drums and bullhorns, more than 40 protesters made some noise Tuesday, April 28, as they marched under the scaffolding of Capco Plaza just east of the Junction.

The protesters represent the Pacific Northwest Regional Council of Carpenters. They are protesting QFC's parent company, Kroger, of Cincinnati, for accepting a low-bid contract from Oregon-based K2MG, a metal stud and drywall company.

According to council spokesman, Eric Franklin, and representative at the protest, Miguel Perry, this out-of-state contractor has an unfair advantage because responsible local contractors have higher quality and workers' benefits standards which shouldn't hamper their ability to bid and perform the work.

"K2MG has lower safety standards, pays no benefits to its workers, and offers no apprentice program," said Franklin. "Without an apprenticeship program for workers, there is less oversight on quality work and safety. QFC says it prides itself on quality."

QFC contacted the West Seattle Herald with a statement.

"Our first priority is to get the job done correctly, and we would never have anyone working for us we were not confident in," said QFC spokesperson Kristin Maas from QFC's corporate headquarters in Bellevue.

"Our policy is that we bid projects to both union and non-union workers," she said.

Maas pointed out that QFCV stores unionized, with 4800 employees.

"K2MG does a lot of work for Fred Meyer, our sister company," she said.