(Boston) Police say they won't picket convention

[MaineDem]

Give Kerry a lift after his gesture

Boston's main police union abandoned yesterday their threat to picket at the site of next month's Democratic National Convention, handing Senator John F. Kerry a major victory on the day he honored the union's picket line by not making a speech before a US Conference of Mayors meeting in Boston.

Kerry's cancellation of the long-scheduled address was widely praised by union leaders, and one Kerry campaign official said yesterday that the move was made in part with the expectation that the union would respond by promising not to picket outside the FleetCenter during the convention.

"The senator . . . kept his eye on the big prize, the convention, in order to achieve a trade-off with the unions," said a Kerry campaign official, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

The shift in the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association's picketing strategy would allow Kerry and thousands of convention delegates and members of the media to enter the FleetCenter unimpeded, despite the city's ongoing labor woes. But Kerry's cancellation drew sharp criticism from both Democratic and Republican mayors, who angrily accused the presumptive Democratic nominee for president of caving in to a local union that is making unreasonable demands.



http://www.boston.com/news/politics/conventions/articles/2004/06/29/police_say_they_wont_picket_convention/

This is excellent news! Good job, JK!

[NewYorkerfromMass]

1. Kerry is absolutely brilliant

and knows who he needs on his side.

This was a great episode to illustrate his astute political acumen.

[jpgray]

2. Police unions picketing the convention would be a GOP political haystack

The whole convention coverage would focus on it. You know, just like the media focus on protestors of Bush and conservatives. :crazy:

[truthisfreedom]

3. Kerry demonstrates true negotiation. not brute force and propaganda.

which is all kkkarl rove and "won't get fooled again" bush know.

[BiggJawn]

4. So watch for the GOP to become the great "Champions" of Labour....

With all kinds of bullshit on how Kerry "intimidated" the Union to drop their pickets for the convention.

[struggle4progress]

14. Well, let's see if the Repubs outlaw replacement workers. eom

[ET Awful]

5. I knew that move would pay off :)

Not only did he get this result, but he also secured a hell of a lot of labor backing in the process.

Great job John.

[koopie57]

6. What a wonderful change from

bullies and loudmouth brats! Working together to make things better as opposed to mowing down anyone who gets in your way.

[bpilgrim]

7. "kept his eye on the big prize" - COMPROMISE

i hate when the spokespeople try to spin everything into how their guy out manuvered everyone else, aint he clever.

our leaders working with union leaders used to be a no brainer back in the day... hopefully this is a sign of things to come ;->

go KERRY, go UNION :bounce:

peace

[TommyO]

8. Unions are needed today...

as much as at any time during our industrialized history. With behemoths like Wal-Mart driving prices lower at the cost of a living wage sending shock-waves through unionized supermarkets, and with the anti-labor stance of major businesses (who are conveniently * supporters), it's nice to see Kerry doing something very pro-union.

There was a phase in my life where I went from a bargained-for employee to management ranks when I thought unions were archaic, how wrong I was.

See not everybody gets more conservative as they get older!

[bpilgrim]

10. definitely

and wal-mart going union would be just what the dr. ordered.

we would go from almost no representation for working americans to almost everyone being covered overnight, imagine the neoCONs faces :evilgrin:

welcome to DU :toast:

peace

[David__77]

9. This is an important victory!

We must solidify all segments of the labor movement into a pro-Kerry bastion.

[yellowcanine]

11. Big win for Kerry. This will help to fire up the union vote for him in

states like Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, and Wisconsin. Bush and Cheney may be Che**yed.

[info being]

12. Kind of hard to remember...

but this is what competency is like.

[MallRat]

13. WOO-HOO!!! Kerry, YOU DA MAN!

Just brilliant! All the police were looking for was to stick it to Menino. Kerry gave it to them, and now they're repaying the favor back to Kerry.

And frankly, I don't mind watching Menino squirm. He's a douchebag.

-MR

[Bluebear]

15. How refreshing, a diplomat instead of a bully!

nt