NH Obama-Oprah fest will be held in non-union hall--and there will be no pickets

Barack Obama likes to boast about his union-credentials. As for Wal-Mart, he told a an audience "I won't shop there" earlier this year, because the world's largest corporation is non-union.

That same day, in regards to an Atlantic City unionization effort, my senator said, "We need to stand with them and help them organize."

But the Verizon Wireless Arena isn't unionized. But that's exactly where Obama and fellow Chicagoan Oprah Winfrey will appear for a campaign rally on Sunday.

From the Manchester Union-Leader:

Barack Obama’s presidential campaign deeply concerned organized labor by booking its big rally Sunday with superstar Oprah Winfrey at the non-union Verizon Wireless Arena.

But an agreement reached tonight ensures no picket line will be set up at the event, saving Obama from an uncomfortable choice and potential embarrassment.

A union representing organized stage hands has been trying unsuccessfully to gain a foothold at the arena since it opened six years ago. State and national labor officials informed the Obama campaign of the issue after the campaign had signed an agreement to hold the event at the arena, according to AFL-CIO state president Mark MacKenzie.

This evening, after a week of negotiations, MacKenzie said an agreement was reached that will avert a picket line at the event by members of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE) Local 195.

The Union Leader reports that the New Hampshire Democratic Party chose not to hold its 100 Club fund-raiser next month at the arena--because of the non-union status of its employees.

Related post:

Michelle Obama quits board of big Wal-Mart supplier

Technorati tags: Obama Barack Obama democrats elections 2008 Wal-Mart Business retail Chicago politics New Hampshire Oprah union labor IATSE