SEARCH
Dems Cancel CBS Debate After Vowing Not to Cross Picket Line |
The scheduled Dec. 10 Democratic presidential candidates’ debate on CBS television was canceled last night by the Democratic National Committees (DNC) because of a possible strike by CBS News writers.
On Monday, we reported that the leading Democratic candidates vowed to not cross any picket lines if the writers, members of the Writers Guild of America, East (WGAE), strike the network. They have been without a contract since April 2005 and contract talks have stalled. The writers have authorized a strike.
The DNC statement on the debate cancellation says:
Due to the uncertainty created by the ongoing labor dispute between CBS and the Writers Guild of America, the DNC has canceled the December 10th debate in Los Angeles. There are no plans to re-schedule.
Earlier, DNC spokesperson Karen Finney said the party would honor picket lines if a strike is called.
The Democratic Party believes the right to organize and collectively bargain is one of our most fundamental rights, and we are proud to stand with the working men and women in the labor movement. Given the Democratic Party’s long history of supporting the labor movement in America, if the strike is still going on, we will not cross the picket lines.
In a related development, contract talks between the writers and television and movie producers have resumed. WGAE members have been on strike since Nov. 5.
7 Comments
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
I would like to see if the republicans would cross the picket line. I bet they would since they are against the working men and women in the country.
IMO it’s a very ‘noble’ showing on the part of the Dem candidates to refuse to cross a picket line. Now if only they and our unions would stop ‘pandering’ to illegals I might believe it was a moral decision rather than a political one.
Great news! Now is the time for Democrats to stand up and speak out in support for working people who certainly are not getting and help from the GOP bunch.
Ha ha ha ha, I cant believe No Amnesty found a way to bash immigrants on this one! At least he means what he says, which is more then I can say for the democratic party.
John Edwards was actually the first to announce that he would not cross the picket line to attend the CBS Debate; so the other democrats have fallen in suit behind Edwards leading to the announcement by the DNC and CBS. I find it hard for any Union to endorse any candidate other than John Edwards. John and/or Elizabeth Edwards have been the first and/or only candidate or spouse on the picket line in Detroit, New York, LA…yet, not every Union endorses John Edwards who has said on many occassions “If all a person has to do is sign a card to belong to the Republican party, then all a person should have to do is sign a card to belong to a Union.” Evidently Unions feel the money from their corporations go to the Clintons, Obama, Romney, and Gulliani campains and since the corporation is what keeps the Union alive in that plant, they might as well support those same candidates, not the candidate who will best support the Union members. That candidate is John Edwards. I was a Union member for more than 26 years and have watched the Unions strenght and numbers decline since Ronald Reagan. A number of Unions must be ok with politics as usual and not a progressive agenda such as that which John Edwards campaigns on, or every union member would advocate John Edwards for President. I am thankful there are several million Union members who do endorse John Edwards for President. It is those millions who are why I miss organized labor.
I just wonder what Clinton and the so-called leading candidates feel about Employee Free Choice?
We know she and others will not impeach Bush for his criminal activity. Apparently she feels he should be given Amnesty!
What is needed is a bill to repeal the right to work law.
SOLIDARITY