Carpenters' Coryell promises no DNC interference, with one condition

Union carpenters, embroiled in a long-standing dispute with the Pennsylvania Convention Center, have promised not to interfere with the 2016 Democratic national presidential convention in Philadelphia unless . . .

. . . Unless the Democratic National Committee holds events at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.

"Our protests will not impact any DNC guests, affiliated groups, or visitors to Philadelphia that week in any venue where our union members are contracted to work," union leader Edward J. Coryell wrote in a letter sent Thursday to the Rev. Leah Daughtry, pastor of House of the Lord Church in Washington, and party-appointed chief executive of the convention.

The Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters lost the right to work in the building in May 2014, after union leaders failed to sign a new customer-satisfaction agreement by a management-imposed deadline. They signed a few days later. Litigation continues in the matter.

Coryell asked Daughtry to boycott the center for convention activities as long as the carpenters are not permitted to work there.

"I hope they wouldn't follow up on that threat," said John J. McNichol, CEO at the Convention Center. "I think it's inappropriate for them to be contacting customers and dissuading them from doing business at the center."

Although various activities will likely take place in the Convention Center during the Democrats' gathering, the main events, including the nomination, will take place at the Wells Fargo Center, where the same union carpenters who cannot work at the Convention Center will handle construction work.

Coryell pledged his union's commitment to "deliver the very best work for the DNC" at the Wells Fargo Center.

Daughtry could not be reached for comment. Kevin Washo, who heads the local effort to put on the convention, did not respond to a late-afternoon phone call.

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