AFL-CIO may ask Dems to move convention

[Ron Burgundy]

AP - The AFL-CIO, angry about Colorado Gov. Bill Ritter's veto of a pro-union bill, may recommend that Democratic Party move its 2008 convention from Denver.

The bill would have made it easier to set up all-union workplaces.

"The attention of the American people will be focused on Denver and the state of Colorado as they prepare to host the 2008 Democratic National Convention," the labor federation's executive council said in a resolution passed during their winter meeting in Las Vegas. "Union members and working people will make up more than a quarter of the delegates to the Denver convention.

"Unless we can be assured that the governor will support our values and priorities, we will strongly urge the Democratic Party to relocate the convention," said the resolution passed Thursday.

Ritter's spokesman Evan Dreyer said Friday: "The governor understands that the AFL-CIO and other labor organizations are upset. He welcomes the dialogue."

The Democratic governor said during his campaign for governor that he would support the types of changes called for in the bill. But Dreyer said the measure was vetoed because the final measure was not balanced to satisfy both sides. Business leaders complained they were not included in discussions.

Ritter said that he would sign a measure if it were properly negotiated. Colorado labor leaders accused Ritter at the time of breaking a campaign promise "under pressure from big business."

The AFL-CIO plans to send a high-level delegation to Colorado to meet with Ritter.

"He will be happy to meet with them to talk about this issue," Dreyer said.

Denver's bid for the 2008 Democratic National Convention nearly collapsed because the leader of the stagehands union balked at signing a pledge not to strike if the convention were held at the nonunion Pepsi Center. A compromise was negotiated to staff the Pepsi Center entirely with union labor for the duration of the convention.

source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070309/ap_on_el_pr/on_the2008_trail [link]