UPDATED: Democrats Drop WMUR from Debate Sponsorship

CONCORD, NH - Following WMUR’s decision to not move negotiations forward with IBEW Local 1228 ahead of next Saturday’s Democratic debate, Democratic National Committee Chairwoman Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz and New Hampshire Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley issued the following joint statement, according to a press statement.

“The DNC and the NHDP are excited about next Saturday’s Democratic presidential candidates debate in New Hampshire, and look forward to a spirited performance by all of our candidates. Regrettably, as a result of WMUR’s unwillingness to move forward on scheduling negotiations between the Hearst Corporation and Production Department employees represented by IBEW Local 1228 prior to the debate, we will no longer include WMUR as a co-sponsor of the debate, and their talent will not be participating in any way. The right for workers to form and organize a union is a key principle of the Democratic Party, and is key to ensuring the economic safety of the American people by protecting their rights and benefits. It is the right to organize that made it possible for the middle class in America to grow over the past century, and it is as important today as it has ever been to keep our economic growth as a nation moving forward. We remain confident in our strong partnership with the ABC network and know that our Democratic candidates will have a robust debate, with a focus on the issues that matter most to hard working Americans across the country.”

At issue is a proposal by the station, according to union members, to remove 11 employees from the company’s pension plan, according to posts online.

Yesterday, former Gov. Martin O’Malley, D-MD, requested a conference call with officials to take up the issue of whether or not Democrats should drop the station as a sponsor. He also called on all the other Democrat candidates running for president to drop their advertising from the station.

Issues between the station and its production employees’ union have been ongoing for a number of years. Last year, there was a concerted effort by union officials to get photographers working for the station enrolled in the Hearst Corporation pension plan.

NH GOP reacts to decision

New Hampshire Republican State Committee Chairman Jennifer Horn today released the following statement regarding WMUR being dropped as a sponsor of the New Hampshire Democrat presidential debate:

“For decades, WMUR has established itself as a trusted news source that has made an important impact on New Hampshire that extends well beyond its news broadcasts. The station has sponsored some of New Hampshire’s most important political debates and WMUR Political Director Josh McElveen has served as a fair and effective moderator. It is unfortunate that Hillary Clinton and her Democrat Party allies would try to impugn the integrity of this respected news organization by forcing WMUR out as a debate sponsor. This petty attack on New Hampshire’s largest television station threatens the traditions of our First-in-the-Nation primary and Governor Hassan should immediately denounce this outrageous behavior.”

NH AFL-CIO chimes in

Glenn Brackett, President of the New Hampshire AFL-CIO issued the following statement in support of the Democratic National Committee and the New Hampshire Democratic Party’s decision to remove WMUR as a sponsor of the December 19th Democratic Debate due to WMUR’s refusal to negotiate in good faith with their workers:

“I am proud of our brothers and sisters of IBEW 1228 for standing up for their rights as WMUR workers. I am grateful to the DNC, New Hampshire Democratic Party, and the Presidential candidates for their decision to stand with New Hampshire workers and hold Hearst Corp. accountable for their refusal to negotiate in good faith with their employees. I would like to thank DNC chair Debbie Wasserman Shultz and NHDP chair Ray Buckley for their support throughout this endeavor. The New Hampshire AFL-CIO would also like to thank Democratic Presidential candidate Martin O’Malley for the statement he released yesterday calling on WMUR to be removed as a sponsor of this debate.

Although we regret the Hearst Corporation’s repeated unwillingness to move contract negotiations forward with their employees, the New Hampshire AFL-CIO and its fellow brothers and sisters in organized labor look forward to the upcoming debate and the opportunity to see three great candidates make their case to New Hampshire, and working men and women across the country.”