Wed May 11, 2011 at 06:11:43 PM EDT
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UPDATE - NEW INFO YOU NEED:
Labor dispute at the Tropicana Casino involves International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters Local 255 and Painters & Allied Trades District Council 711.
NJDSC Chair John Wisniewski's statement of solidarity with labor is after the jump, in this diary.
Book your Bally's reservation here. (Room rate details, and info re: your Tropicana reservation, after the jump)
Updated conference schedule.
The NJ Democratic State Committee is yanking tomorrow's NJ State Democratic Conference across Atlantic City, from the Tropicana to Bally's. Yes, it's last minute.
Why?
Because they're standing with labor, and word is that there is a dispute between the Tropicana and its union workers, with negotiation between the two sides. And if there is a picket line, the Democrats will not cross it.
As far as I am concerned this is wonderful chaos. Yes, it's a headache. And it will be a logistical all-nighter for the NJDSC staff, which is now hosting several hundred Democrats at a location nobody expected to be anywhere near. Some people will not hear about it until they arrive tomorrow to the wrong casino, and there will be some confusion.
But, this can also be a fine foxhole situation. We'll all be thrown together, figuring out which room in a brand new (mocked up in pencil?) tangle of conference rooms we're supposed to be in next. More importantly, this decision is an opportunity for New Jersey Democrats to the Democratic Party will not be crossing a picket line, and in a state where unionized workers are routinely belittled and undervalued by a chief executive building his national GOP rep by scoring points off working people, I relish the chance to let it be known I don't truck with that.
Details are still in flux, at least some details. Labor update to come. Hotel room details to come. And I will post the conference schedule, which focuses on Training, as soon as I get the changes. Use this diary as an Open Thread for your thoughts and feedback, questions and logistical concerns. |
| Rosi Efthim :: BREAKING: Democratic State Conference MOVING as labor dispute brews at the Tropicana Casino |
Here is the text of the message that just went out to conference attendees and Democrats:
It's been brought to the attention of the New Jersey Democratic State Committee that the International Union of Operating Engineers Local 68, Northeast Regional Council of Carpenters Local 255 and Painters & Allied Trades District Council 711 at the Tropicana Resort and Casino are currently involved in an ongoing labor dispute with hotel management.
New Jersey Democrats have always stood shoulder to shoulder with our friends in organized labor and they have been among our most steadfast and committed allies. Out of respect for our brothers and sisters in labor as they fight for their rights, the New Jersey Democratic State Committee will move our State Conference activities from the Tropicana Casino and Resort to Bally's Atlantic City.
We recognize this is late notice, however we will not abandon our values and will stand in solidarity with the workers who are fighting for their rights. This will be the same great training, with the same outstanding networking opportunities held in a different location. We have included an updated conference schedule below this email.
Bally's has agreed to honor the same room rates as was offered by Tropicana for a limited block of rooms for $65 on Thursday night and $119 for Friday night. You should be aware that the Tropicana has a 48-hour cancellation policy and we can make no representation that the Tropicana will or will not enforce that policy if you cancel your room reservations within that time period. However, if you would like to reserve rooms at Bally's, you can do so here at the same low prices offered previously.
I thank you for your understanding and shared support for our brothers and sisters of the Carpenters, Painters and Operating Engineers. I look forward to seeing you at Bally's Atlantic City as we stand shoulder to shoulder with our friends and take the next step on the Path to Victory in November.
(signed) John Wizniewski
PS - If you booked a room for Thursday night at the Tropicana at the $65 rate and wish to change to Bally's and are charged a cancellation penalty, the NJDSC will reimburse for the amount of that one night with proper documentation of the cancellation charges.
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