Carpenters union: No protests at Pa. Convention Center during pope visit

The Carpenters union, one of two unions embroiled in a battle with the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority, has sent a clear message that it won't interfere with Pope Francis' visit to Philadelphia this September.

"While we are currently engaged in an unfair labor practices dispute with the Pennsylvania Convention Center over a disputed deadline for signing a customer satisfaction agreement — which we signed — we want to assure you that our on-going protest of this injustice will in no way interfere or disrupt the Holy Father's visit to Philadelphia," Ed Coryell, business manager of the Metropolitan Regional Council of Carpenters, wrote in a letter to Archbishop Charles Chaput on Monday.

Pope Francis will be visiting the United States for the first time during the last two days of the World Meeting of Families event, which will run from Sept. 22-27.

The Carpenters, who have been holding protests outside the Convention Center, will not be protesting during the weeklong event, according to a spokesman.

The union would be encouraging its members to increase participation in the volunteer projects and activities "we participate in throughout the year," Coryell said.

"We will also encourage all of the contractors we partner with to do the same," he said.

It is unclear if the Teamsters union will do the same. The Teamsters union leaders could not be immediately reached for comment.

"The visit by Pope Francis to Philadelphia offers a unique opportunity to showcase the city and region on an international stage," said Pete Peterson, spokesman for the Pennsylvania Convention Center Authority. "We welcome the [Carpenters'] news and look forward to making the World Meeting of Families and Papal visit a successful event."

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The Carpenters and Teamsters unions have not worked at the Convention Center since last May after failing to sign a new customer satisfaction agreement. The unions maintain that they had until May 10 to reach the agreement and that they signed by that date.

The work of the Carpenters and Teamsters has been assigned among the four signatory unions.

About 2 million people from more than 150 countries are expected to come to Philadelphia, generating about $418 million in economic impact. More than 10,000 volunteers are needed for the World Meeting of Families, and more than 5,000 have signed up so far.

Carpenters letter to Reverend Chaput

Source: Philadelphia Business Journal