by Jason George
MANCHESTER, N.H. – Sen. Barack Obama came on stage tonight just after 8 p.m. and almost immediately thanked a special guest, but it’s not who you might suspect.
” I have some special guests I want to recognize: New Hampshire AFL-CIO, for the work they do,” he said, just days after organized labor contemplated picketing the Verizon Wireless Area, which will not allow the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees Local 195 to organize employees.
“This is a great facility and we should’ve had union workers in here,” he said to loud applause from a crowd, full of many who must undoubtedly followed the story, which has been popular in the local press.
The New Hampshire Union Leader reported on Friday that the campaign had negotiated an agreement with AFL-CIO state President Mark MacKenzie, which prevented a picket line in exchange for a pro-union statement during the event.
Deal done.