Obama team skipping mayors' event over picket line

[madmom]

By BEN FELLER
Associated Press Writer

White House says Vice President Joe Biden and members of President Barack Obama's Cabinet will skip a national conference of mayors in Rhode Island next week to avoid crossing the picket line of a local labor dispute.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors will be held in Providence, where Mayor David Cicilline is in a long-standing fight with local firefighters over contract issues. Cicilline plans to host the gathering in his own city, and firefighters plan to form a picket line.

Presidential spokesman Robert Gibbs told The Associated Press that the administration is taking no position on the labor dispute itself. But, he said, "We have always respected picket lines, and administration officials will not cross this one."

http://www.kansascity.com/437/story/1235794.html

[Egnever]

1. Wow now thats change I can believe in.

Love it!

[HopeOverFear]

6. for real n/m

[ClarkUSA]

2. When Pres. Obama said he was a "union man" he meant it. Republicans are grumbling somewhere.

[GrantDem]

3. Thank you.

[Jennicut]

4. Good. Biden almost did not attend an event for Corzine in NJ because of a picket line issue

This administration actually values unions.

[Orsino]

5. Now, how many mayors will join him...

...and what will they do back home?

[gaspee]

7. This is crazy

That this situation has gone on this long.

Before you blindly cheer on the union, educate yourselves.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Cicilline