Kerry Won't Cross Picket Line for Speech

[CShine]

BOSTON - Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry on Sunday canceled an appearance at the U.S. Conference of Mayors rather than cross a promised police union picket line at the event.

"I don't cross picket lines. I never have," Kerry said as he left Mass Sunday night at Our Lady of Good Voyage chapel in South Boston.

His decision came hours after Boston Mayor Thomas Menino called on Kerry to attend, calling the conference "an important event for urban America," and saying the pickets set up by the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association and other union members did not constitute a legitimate picket line. Menino has been locked in a battle with several city unions over unsettled contracts.

"We know that people on both sides have been working in good faith to resolve the situation, and we hope that they will redouble their efforts to find a resolution," said Kerry campaign spokesman David Wade.

Menino said that he spoke with Kerry on Sunday evening, and that he was "very, very disappointed" with Kerry's decision. "I would think that he would come and talk to the mayors who are making a difference in America everyday, who are on the front lines of the issues that face working people," Menino said.

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&cid=694&ncid=703&e=1&u=/ap/20040628/ap_on_el_pr/kerry_mayors

[bushisanidiot]

1. Good For Kerry. A true man of principle. In your face, AWOL!!

the chimp in chief looks like such a snivelling, whining, coward compared to John Kerry.

[ynot]

8. Yelp! Yelp! Yelp!

We need more like him across this country, and the world.

[louis c]

2. I guess were both on the same wave length

only you're a couple of minutes ahead of me. I am a member of the
Central Labor Council which is a 100 member coalition of all the labor unions from Boston and the surrounding communities, working under the AFL-CIO umbrella.

This has been a very hot issue inside the coalition, but as a group, we're all supporting the Police. John Kerry has once again showed his solidarity with us, and has proved why he is deserving of the support us all working men and women.

[phillybri]

3. My dad's a Teamster...

...he taught me that crossing a picket line is about the biggest no-no out there...

[sweetness]

4. why picket

the entire meeting because of an issue with a single mayor? Bad move for the union IMO. Bad move for Kerry too bad a compromise couldn't be found ...guess that pandering to special interests isn't just a republican tactic...too bad, oh well thats politics.

BEFORE you flame: I have not come out against unions in general so don't make any stupid accusations. Also, unions ARE special interest groups so again no stupid accusations.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

5. Considering Unions are...

a stalwart of the Democratic base, I'm glad Kerry responded to the actions by this "special interest group.".

The main difference between Dem and GOP "special interest groups" is ours represent working Americans, women, the enviroment and civil rights -- theirs represent corporations, the rich, and gun nuts.

I'll take our "special interest groups" any day of the week.

[bigbillhaywood]

11. Somewhat true, but not entirely

Lets not forget that the Democratic Party takes in many corporate contributions. And considering how hard those corporate interests lobbied for NAFTA, GATT and PNTR for China, how hard the unions lobbied against thise issues, and how may Dems voted FOR those trade agreements, it seems reasonable that corporate cash often trumps union clout in the Democratic Party. With the Democrats, it's a slow whittling away at labor. With the Republicans it's a blitzkrieg. Next time one of these deals gets struck under a Democrat or Republican administration, I vote for a general strike.

[Bridget Burke]

7. No, you have not come out against unions in general......

Not yet, at least.

Of course they're "special interest groups". What's wrong with that?

[bigbillhaywood]

9. Perhaps you would like to suggest better tactics for them to

leverage a good contract. You're in contract negotiations, you do what you have to to strike a good deal. If a union doesn't do that, it's just a worthless dues-collection agency.

Firefighters Union just gained a major PR coup in their struggle. Good move for the union IMO.

[mbperrin]

6. My grandfather, who was an organizer for the IWW (yes, that

long ago!) assured me that anyone who would cross a picket line or scab your job would also drink your children's blood.

Good for Kerry. (If the other bastards really wanted to talk, they could have picked a place where that was possible, right?)

Time for the working class to have to quit making all the concessions.

[bigbillhaywood]

10. Your grandpa kicks ass. nt

[Garion_55]

12. Dont know a whole lot about the issue....

But i support kerry is this.

There is no reason to agravate the situation and get law enforcement pissed.

Let them work out their differences and then go and give a speech.