Role of unions comes into focus as DNC approaches
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CHARLOTTE — As workers get Uptown Charlotte ready for the Democratic National Convention, the role of local union labor and national labor money is coming into greater focus.
The selection of Charlotte last year upset some national union leaders, since North Carolina is the least unionized state in the country. Although national unions have donated next to nothing to the DNC convention, many local union workers were given work setting up Time Warner Cable Arena for the event.
Political analysts believe, despite some union frustrations, most organized labor will still support President Barack Obama in November.
"The Republican Party has essentially declared war on unions and so the Democratic Party hasn't, and they can't abandon the Democratic party,” said UNC-Charlotte political science professor John Szmer.
Unions gave more than $8 million for the 2008 DNC convention in Denver.