Police union's picket line halts work on convention (Democratic)

[JI7]

<Democratic National Convention organizers were forced to shut down the start of FleetCenter construction yesterday after some construction workers and delivery trucks refused to cross a picket line led by Boston police officers outside the arena. More construction problems were expected today, as city and convention officials scrambled to cope with the unanticipated disruptions.

Several nationally prominent Democrats spoke by phone with local convention officials yesterday, plotting strategies for ending the labor problems. The chairman of the Democratic National Committee, Terry McAuliffe, spoke with Mayor Thomas M. Menino, while John Sasso, Senator John F. Kerry's primary liaison to the DNC, called Jack Corrigan, Kerry's main convention planner. They spoke about making a push to settle the city's contracts with firefighters and the Service Employees International Union, according to Democratic Party officials. Such a move is seen as isolating the police union and blunting the impact of its picket line.

The calls by McAuliffe and Sasso were the first direct involvement by top party officials and the Kerry camp in the city's union negotiations.

The extent of yesterday's disruptions caught convention organizers off-guard. They had assumed that most members of the building and construction trade unions would cross the picket line without incident; refusal to cross was expected only from a union that represents Verizon telephone and data-wiring electricians, and Menino had begun making plans to find other workers or another telecommunications supplier, if necessary.

Instead, firefighters and service employees joined the picket line, and about half the 50 carpenters and other workers who were to begin construction yesterday, members of a local carpenters union and Laborers Local 133, chose to not cross. The workers who did show up entered the arena about 6:30 a.m., but trucks carrying lumber and other supplies halted short of the FleetCenter, as Teamsters refused to cross the picket line. FleetCenter workers who are members of SEIU Local 615 also honored the picket line. And with an angry crowd hurling insults at them, the workers who had entered the FleetCenter left after about four hours, having accomplished virtually no work.>

http://www.boston.com/news/politics/conventions/articles/2004/06/09/police_unions_picket_line_halts_work_on_convention/

[ladjf]

1. Dems should immediately start plans to move the convention.

This problem isn't going to go away. I don't know whether the workers have legitimate grievances or not. But, in this case, they are trying to win their case at the expense of the Democratic Party, which also means America in general. They are willfully interfering with the electoral process.

The Dems should pull out immediately while there is still time to make alternate arrangements. Many cities would welcome the convention.

[keithyboy]

2. Ronald Reagan would not approve of police strikes!

Remember, they are public servants like the Air Traffic controllers. Is Ronnie rolling in his grave? Or does this principle apply only to people who do not support Republicans?

[keithyboy]

3. Move the Convention to Wash. DC. to make up for the costs of RR funeral

DC has a lovely new Convention Center.

[ItsMyParty]

4. I've been following this in the Boston Globe

Unfortunately, this situation was known for months and it's unbelievable that our DNC, etc. didn't get on it long ago and push for settlement because it, of course, is an embarrassment to a party that is touting worker's rights and a candidate who has the backing of the Police Union and FF Unions. I cannot understand why Boston's Dem mayor hasn't totally stripped gears to solve this. My understanding is that he, too, is dragging his feet. Please don't give the republicans fodder. This, in fact, is a time to show that the Democrats are the friends of the working man and woman. Keeping in touch on this and keeping fingers crossed.

[Justice]

6. I live in Boston

I have to say I haven't seen that flavor at all. The issue has always been there certainly, but the mayor can't roll over to union demands given the budget squeeze - and the republican governor unwillingness to help the city in any way.

I think this is more about politics than true dispute. Even the Globe today pointed out that the parties are actually not far apart substantively, but the union is unwilling to even discuss (and as I mentioned in my post below, in the past the union has supported republicans).

[Justice]

5. Posted Earlier -

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=102x613956

I posted this earlier this morning. The upshot here is that the police are not necessarily favoring Kerry - so this "protest" is a bit more partisan than it appears when you just take about unions.

Plus the globe reports that the police union agreed in court to informational picketing, not hard core, don't cross the picket lines picketing.

[papau]

7. Fed Marshalls started at noon to guar only informational picketing -

the truck turnarounds should stop now - except some of the Boston unions - those at our Bush loving Telephone Company Verizon - say they will honor even "informational" picketing by not going to work at the Fleet Center.

So our police union - which has again endorse Bush - and whose members get such high pay thet think they are Republican's - have set up a cute confrontation.

Now how do Court ordered Federal Marshalls arrest Boston Police on their picket line.?????? - film at eleven!

:-)