Hub police union deserves rap from all Democrats

11 June 2004

When it comes to Democrats and the Boston Police Patrolmen's Association, perhaps what's needed is a Sister Souljah moment.

Despite picket signs that say "No contract, No convention," in all likelihood the police union won't stop the Democratic National Convention from being held in Boston. Some combination of court orders, jawboning and breaking of union ranks will allow work to continue, fitfully and possibly with a job less well done than hoped for, but enough to allow the event to proceed.

Even so, this mess is already a public relations disaster for the Democrats, and it could get worse. If the city and the union aren't able to come to terms on a contract within the next six weeks, John Kerry could well see his prospects for election undone. Rather than a five-day commercial for the Democratic Party, picket lines and demonstrations by Boston cops at the convention may well provide voters nationwide with the best reason yet to re-elect George W. Bush.

Which is why now may be the time for national Democrats, including John Kerry, to play hardball.

Why is that? Because one of the Democratic Party's greatest strengths - its unwavering support of workers and unions - is also one of its greatest weaknesses.

Democrats support unions, they say, because they care about working men and women. Unions return the favor, providing a ready source of money and, more importantly, ground forces for Democratic politicians at all levels of government. And, party members argue, unions are popular; a February Zogby poll, for example, found that 63 percent of all Americans approve of labor unions.

Probe a little deeper, however, and a different picture emerges. Popular or not, unions are on a precipitous downward slide. Two decades ago, more than 20 percent of all workers were union members. Now it's less than 13 percent.

Moreover, the public support for unions is tepid at best. The same Zogby poll found that Americans overwhelmingly support right- to-work laws and paycheck protections - both anathema to unions. When asked if they personally would join a union, most said no.

It comes down to this. People like the idea of making sure workers get good wages and fair treatment. But they don't like it when unions stop reform, dictate work rules or go to extremes.

And so, imagine if you will that you're a moderate voter living in Arkansas - a swing state where just under 7 percent of workers are unionized - and you turn on the television one evening in late July. The convention is on and, predictably, it's boring. Second- rate luminaries, thrilled to be in the national spotlight, are giving snoozer speeches. Everyone knows Kerry will be nominated. You're just about to turn the channel.

But wait, there's some excitement. The Boston police are holding a massive demonstration! Picket lines have been set up! Delegates are refusing to attend parties and events around the city!

Wow. The Democratic convention brought to a standstill by a small cadre of union members. The mayor of Boston humiliated. The entire Democratic Party caving in to the demands of a few.

And for you, the bewildered citizen of Arkansas, the idea of a Democratic president is suddenly a lot scarier.

Bill Clinton faced an analogous circumstance in 1992 when he was running against George Bush the First. Sister Souljah, a black rapper, said in an interview, "If black people kill black people every day, why not have a week and kill white people?" Democrats, fearful of upsetting a key constituency, said nothing. Not Clinton; he knew a line had been crossed and publicly denounced the remark as racist. In that moment, he established his independence by refusing to kowtow to Democratic special interests. Even better, while Clinton's repudiation may have seemed risky, it was political genius. Black voters didn't desert him and moderates were impressed.

Like Sister Souljah, the BPPA has crossed the line. Rather than being afraid, national Democrats should back Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and say the obvious.

Clearly, the BPPA's tactics are beyond the pale, opportunistically driven with seemingly no care for consequences. And as should be evident to anyone who has followed the city's contract negotiations with the union, the battle isn't merely about wages and benefits (if it were, the union would take up Menino's offer to arbitrate). Rather, it's a highly personalized struggle of wills and fight for power.

Of course, BPPA members might argue that it is Menino, not the union, that imperils the convention. Menino could back down as easily as they.

True enough. Do so, however, and Democrats simply provide more grist for the widespread belief that they are pawns to unreasonable union demands. Menino, otherwise reliably pro-union, has had his Sister Souljah moment. Rather than pressure Boston's mayor to capitulate, national Democrats should find the same sort of courage.

Talk back to Tom Keane at tomkeane@tomkeane.com.