December 20, 2006 7:42 AM
Dems put brakes on convention selection
Denver won't know until after New Year's Day if the city will host the 2008 Democratic National Convention, report Alan Gathright and Stuart Steers.
The announcement on Tuesday came as top Colorado Democrats, including Gov.-elect Bill Ritter, U.S. Sen. Ken Salazar and Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, pressed the local stagehands' union to sign a no- strike agreement that the Democratic National Committee requires to even consider Denver's bid.The stagehands' union and some labor leaders want to use the agreement as leverage to force the privately owned Pepsi Center to employ union contractors year-round. The arena already has agreed on the DNC's requirement to use the union workers during the convention.
Union leaders say the issue is about respect.
"Denver, as a longtime Democratic city, is just beginning to make progress to become more worker- friendly and union-friendly," said Leslie Moody, president of the Denver Area Labor Federation.
December 20, 2006
8:50 AM
Scott writes:
Let’s see, the Mafia (unions) will not sign a no strike agreement which in turn puts the hosting of the Mafia’s lapdog’s (democrat party’s) national convention in Denver in jeopardy. Maybe this helps explain why only 8% of non-government employees pay protection to the Mafia (unions).
Yes, I am a democrat, no, I do not pay protection to the Mafia.
December 20, 2006
8:52 AM
Hogar De Vuelta (العودة) writes:
The union extorters are going to kill the deal with their greed. Never take half a loaf, when you can ruin the whole loaf.
December 20, 2006
9:29 AM
rob writes:
If the Stage Union derails this for Denver they will get much less of what they say they are seeking, respect
December 20, 2006
11:04 AM
John C writes:
When you have leverage use it. Workers rights are being destroyed by "pro-business" bills that only increase money for the wealthy. If the Democratic convention wants to come to Denver, why not make a stand by pusing workers and union rights?
Why try to make them give up the right to strike? It sets a tough precedent that I wouldn't want hanging over me.
I hope the next elections will be about all workers and small business owners, not just the corporate giants who have driven up health care costs, misrepresented their earnings, and profited from harming people around the world.
December 20, 2006
11:27 AM
Steve writes:
Rob, I couldn't have said it better myself. It bears repeating:
"If the Stage Union derails this for Denver they will get much less of what they say they are seeking, respect."
...that and they won't get the work / income that the unions "profess" to be all for. Ruin the whole loaf.. you bet. Look at the big three auto companies. One BIG reason they all suck in the market place is because of outrageous union demands sucking mother employer dry. Trust me, I worked in Detroit w/ GM in the early 90s.
December 20, 2006
2:17 PM
Hogar De Vuelta (العودة) writes:
I hope the next elections will be about all workers and small business owners, not just the corporate giants who have driven up health care costs, misrepresented their earnings, and profited from harming people around the world.
Posted by John C on December 20, 2006 11:04 AM
Who do you think creates the jobs? The unions? There is nothing wrong with unions per se, but when you cut off your nose to spite your face you look pretty silly.
December 20, 2006
3:12 PM
Dems are so gullible writes:
The delay is not to help union workers in Denver, it is a transparent ploy to up the stakes at the last minute to get more donations to the Dem Party. Howard could really give a S**T where the convention is held.
December 21, 2006
1:20 PM
jay writes:
In a world where unethical companies make Unions an unfortunate necessity, I think it is admirable that they refuse to sign the ridiculous dealbreaker the Dems needlessly threw in the mix.
December 29, 2006
9:12 AM
Anonymous writes:
The Dems are just the other side of a rotten system.
Both Dems and the GOP are sell-outs and until eveyone figures out they keep us fighting over the scraps left over we are screwed.
It's time to have another tea party. Never vote for either one until they get the message.
Watch as the rules change when we figure out the game.
Bring the troops back and send them to Washinton!