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Carpenters Union, Convention Center Agree To Contract Extension

By Pat Loeb

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- The Carpenters Union has ended a brief strike against the Pennsylvania Convention Center and has agreed to a contract extension until May 10th.

KYW's Pat Loeb reports the walk-out, Thursday night, had no apparent impact on events at the center.

The Broad Street Run Expo was moving in when the carpenters walked off the job. Director Terry Kerwawich says it didn't stop the set up.

"That threw a little monkey wrench into the plans but luckily, a lot of our bigger vendors were already in before that happened," Kerwawich said.

This vendor actually preferred having the carpenters gone.

"I'd say 95 percent of the people here don't use union if they have a choice. They'd rather do it themselves."

Convention Center Board chair Gregory Fox says that's exactly why the board is trying to negotiate work rule changes, to make the center more attractive and says he hopes unions understand it will help them if the center can book more business.

"To the wisdom of what they did, I'll let them come to their own conclusion. We were certainly disappointed," Fox said.

The union did not comment.

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