Local union leaders have decided not to oppose Denver’s bid for the 2008 Democratic National Convention, but it was unclear Thursday whether the change would improve the city’s chances of winning.
Labor issues in the city have focused on hotels, and particularly the new, city-bonded Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center. None of Denver’s hotels are union, and some Democratic delegations say they must stay in union hotels.
Officials in opposing cities have seized on Denver’s labor issues as the Democratic National Committee looks to name two finalists this month.
“I think it is important for some of the delegates from strong union states to stay in union hotels,” said Erin Dady, the marketing director for St. Paul, Minn. “Especially here in the Midwest where we have strong ties to labor.”
Minneapolis-St. Paul and New York are the other finalists for the convention, and, unlike Denver, both have union hotels.
Still, officials with Denver’s host committee now can say that labor is not formally opposing the bid as they make their case to national Democrats.
Denver Area Labor Federation president Leslie Moody confirmed Thursday that the group voted unanimously to “lay over” a previous resolution opposing the bid.
While that is better than before, it may not be the kind of support delegations are looking for. What is more, Moody said, the resolution could be reinstated at any monthly meeting.
“People were uncomfortable rescinding it completely,” Moody said, citing concerns about how the actual convention would be staffed.
But she said, “There is a big difference between opposition and neutrality.”
Host committee officials said last week that landing the 2008 convention would be unlikely unless the city had at least one hotel with organized labor.
The labor federation passed a resolution this year opposing Denver’s bid unless the convention center Hyatt was organized.
Moody said workers at the Hyatt are working toward a union but they have been slowed because of high turnover.
Still, she praised Denver host committee executive director Debbie Willhite and Mayor John Hickenlooper for working with labor groups.
A meeting with Willhite on Tuesday was positive and productive, Moody said.
“We are doing out part to resolve whatever issues were keeping labor from supporting this,” Moody said.
Willhite said labor’s vote is “a step in the right direction.”
“I think it’s very encouraging,” she said.
Staff writer George Merritt can be reached at 303-954-1657 or gmerritt@denverpost.com.
