Denver's convention hopes hit snag

[El Supremo]

A stagehands association leader refuses to sign a pledge not to strike if the Democrats come to town.

Denver's bid to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention hit a serious snag Monday after a union leader refused to sign a no-strike pledge, with a decision due anytime.

City and union officials confirmed Monday that Jim Taylor, head of the local stagehands union, is refusing to sign a mandatory agreement with national Democrats pledging not to strike if the convention comes to Denver.

Debbie Willhite, executive director of the host committee, said not having full union support is "probably a deal breaker" for the DNC.

But Denver's director of theaters and arenas, Jack Finlaw, said he was "optimistic" that Taylor and the stagehands would sign on.

"There is still time," Finlaw said.

The decision could come as soon as today, but Democrats said they would finalize their 2008 convention by the end of the year....

http://www.denverpost.com/ci_4864614

[WI_DEM]

1. Good Grief, does this mean it will be held in NYC yet again!!??

We held it there in '76, '80, and '92 and last time we held it in Boston. I think we should go South or West.

[Norquist Nemesis]

2. ARGH!

Why "national Democrats" require a signing agreement on this is infuriating! Not to mention that the contract is between the union and the employer, it flies in the face of supposedly supporting unions' rights. :argh:

[tridim]

3. So the multi-million dollar convention deal comes down to one guy's signature?

Hey Jim, bite your fucking toungue and sign the damn thing.

[mike_c]

4. doesn't a "no strike pledge" violate dem support for labor...?

:shrug:

[RogueBandit]

5. Union leadership

Let me see. Oh yeah, the Republicans are the best friends of union leadership. It would make the unions seem so powerful if they closed Detroit during the Dem convention. Sarcasm ends.

I support unionizing, but most of the major union leadership just support another form of corporatization.

Yes, unions ended child labor, gave us the 40 hour work week, and are responsible for most of the workplace safety laws...but that was all long ago. The original work was to share the wealth, now it seems to be more important to keep the few good jobs, not fight for better conditions for the poor and downtrodden.

Seems to me that union members need to form a union of union members.

Please, convince me otherwise.

[Heidi]

6. Kick.

:kick:

[Freddie Stubbs]

7. Union Balks At Denver's Democratic Convention Bid

DENVER -- With a decision expected any day on where the Democratic Party will hold its 2008 national convention, a union leader in Denver has refused to sign a no-strike pledge, a move one organizer called a possible deal-breaker.

Jim Taylor, head of the Local No. 7 International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, is refusing to sign the agreement pledging not to strike if the convention comes to Denver, labor officials told The Denver Post.

Calls to Taylor and to Leslie Moody, president of the Denver Area Labor Federation, by The Associated Press on Tuesday were not immediately returned.


The Democratic National Committee will decide by the end of the year whether to nominate its next presidential candidate in Denver or in New York City, spokesman Damien LaVera said. He declined to comment on the negotiations.

Debbie Willhite, executive director of Denver's host committee, told the Post that a lack of full union support for the city's bid is "probably a deal-breaker" for the Democratic National Committee.

more: http://www.thedenverchannel.com/politics/10566916/detail.html

[monmouth]

8. I saw on the news last night about the possibility of Denver and was just thrilled.

It's a wonderful city, great people and a nice change. Maybe this union guy is a RW and doesn't have the heart. Union guy RW??? Nah...

[pinto]

11. Seems the union's beef is with Kroenke Sports Enterprises,

owners of the Pepsi Center where the convention would be held.

fwiw, found this entry in Wikipedia re: E.Stanley Kroenke

E. Stanley Kroenke
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

E. Stanley "Stan" Kroenke is an American business entrepreneur who is listed in the Forbes 400 as one of the richest people in the world. His wealth is estimated to be about $2.1 billion and based primarily on real estate. His wife is Anne Walton, a Wal-Mart heir.

Kroenke obtained a Bachelor of Arts/Science and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Missouri. Through the Kroenke Group business, he has extensive real estate holdings, including shopping centers, often next to Wal-Mart outlets.

As the head and owner of Kroenke Sports Enterprise, Kroenke is a co-owner of the National Football League's St. Louis Rams, and a full owner of the National Basketball Association's Denver Nuggets, National Hockey League's Colorado Avalanche, Arena Football League's Colorado Crush, National Lacrosse League's Colorado Mammoth, Major League Soccer's Colorado Rapids. Kroenke Sports Enterprise also owns the Pepsi Center in Denver and the Altitude Sports and Entertainment cable channel, and co-owns Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/E._Stanley_Kroenke

I think Denver would be a good choice. If the host committee does the hiring, and ensures union participation/wage scales, maybe this could be resolved.

:shrug:

[bluerum]

9. Union pickets in Boston when the 2004 conventions was held. It's

their right and they should be able to do whatever they want.

If the DNC wants to let them control the decision making process by letting them hold this over their heads, they are doing a good job. Should the DNC ignore the union? Nay, they should celebrate their right to strike when, where, and when they want to.

[Critters2]

10. Exactly....we're the party of working people, and sometimes

working people strike!!

Solidarity forever!!!

[Miss Chybil]

12. I was raised in a union family and it's stuff like this that gives

unions a bad image. How many more people would have work if the convention were to come to Denver?

I don't blame the party for wanting a no-strike agreement. Here's an analogy for you... If you were planning your wedding would you hire a caterer who said he/she might strike at some point during the wedding if he/she thought the pay was lacking, or wanted you to have your dinner in a better lit place?

The planners of something as big as a major political convention have the right to ask for "no strike" assurances. If they don't get them, they have the right to go elsewhere. (And, yes, the unions have a right not to give such assurances, but who really wins if they don't?)

[bluerum]

13. Straw man. If they sign a contract they are legally obligated. If the

contract requires a no strike agreement the union can refuse to sign if they want to. They don't get the work. The DNC can decide to go elsewhere if they choose.

Everyones happy.

What's the beef?

I do not see this as a "bad image". It's called negotiation. If the DNC can not or will not provide wages and worker protections that meet the union requirements, they can go elsewhere - or hire non-union workers.

Personally - I think the union is being a PITA but that is their right.

[David Dunham]

14. Unions will benefit from a Denver convention that'll help Dems win

A convention in NY will not be as helpful. The Denver union should cooperate and not be a pain in the neck.

[madfloridian]

15. Background..

On why Dean is giving Denver extra time, until January...to get the union stuff fixed. Most think he is interested in Denver.

Dean is strong on unions, for a reason.

http://journals.democraticunderground.com/madfloridian/816