Meeting moved from Tropicana because three unions are involved in labor dispute with management
New Jersey Democrats decided not to hold their convention at the Tropicana in Atlantic City since three unions are having a dispute with management there.ATLANTIC CITY — Democrats sounded a note of solidarity with organized labor at their convention in Atlantic City this morning.
“This conference was scheduled for another location, and I won’t even mention the name of the other location,” Assemblyman John Wisniewski (D-Middlesex), the Democratic state chairman, told a crowd of about 100 at breakfast this morning at Bally’s.
That was the Tropicana, a little less than a mile down the boardwalk. But with three unions locked in a dispute with management, the Democrats abruptly pulled out Thursday — just 24 hours before the convention was to begin — and relocated. Democrats did not want to have their members crossing a picket line.
“It became abundantly clear to me that we had no choice but to stand shoulder to shoulder with our brothers and sisters in labor,” he said.
Turns out there is no picket line — at least not this week. The Tropicana and the unions that represent represent painters, carpenters, and operating engineers have extended their negotiations.
New Jersey AFL-CIO President Charlie Wowkanech, whose public sector unions have recently had serious policy differences with some Democratic legislative leaders, said the party showed it was committed to labor.
“When people stand up, then you really find out who your friends are,” he said.
The Democrats’ convention began last night and lasts until Saturday morning.
Previous coverage:
• Labor dispute sends Democrats scrambling to move state convention