Nickels in tricky spot for mayors meeting

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels is scheduled to take over as president of the U.S. Conference of Mayors this weekend, a reward for his leadership on climate change and a sign of his good reputation nationally.

The event could have been an oasis of good publicity amid a tough re-election fight.

Instead, Nickels finds himself embroiled in a labor conflict in Providence, R.I.

If the mayor goes to the meeting at the convention center to accept his post, he might have to cross a picket line. But Deputy Mayor Tim Ceis said that won't happen: "He will not cross picket lines."

The Providence firefighters union, Local 799 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, plans to picket the conference because of a dispute with Providence Mayor David Cicilline.

Nickels has been generally supportive of unions — and vice versa. The local firefighters have not made their endorsement for mayor this year, but six major local unions gave him their sole endorsement a month ago.

Vice President Joseph Biden and other members of the Obama administration, including former King County Executive Ron Sims, former Washington Gov. Gary Locke and former Seattle Police Chief Gil Kerlikowske, are among those who have canceled scheduled appearances at the event because of the labor dispute.

The conference starts today. Nickels is scheduled to speak about climate change Saturday afternoon and attend a party in his honor Monday night.

A union spokesman said talks are continuing and the dispute may be resolved in time for the conference.

"Our local's using the conference as a point in time to set some kind of deadline to break the logjam, change the way negotiations have been going," said Jeff Zack, a spokesman for the International Association of Firefighters, the parent to Providence Local 799, which has been in a decadelong stalemate in its contract negotiations with Providence.

Ceis said that even before Nickels flew to Providence on Thursday, he had been talking with union officials about whether he could attend the business portion of the conference without crossing the picket line. But he added: "Obviously, he's got to be at his own installation as president."

Kenny Stuart, president of Seattle's firefighters union Local 27, said the mayor has had a "reasonable" relationship with Seattle firefighters.

In 2004, the union took out a full-page newspaper ad depicting Nickels as the "the Grinch who stole Public Safety," but Stuart said the relationship is improving. The local has endorsed Nickels in his first two mayoral campaigns.

"My members are watching ... how Mayor Nickels reacts to a labor dispute for a firefighters union in another municipality," he said. He asked Nickels to get involved directly in Providence by meeting with the president of Local 799. He said the mayor "didn't say no" to that request, and that Nickels vowed to support the Providence union's action.

Conference officials released a statement saying they were "highly disappointed" by the Obama administration's decision not to attend. It's a major blow to the conference, which is trying to capitalize on the federal government's renewed interest in dealing directly with cities.

As vice president of the conference for the past two years, Nickels has already been part of meetings with top Obama administration officials about federal stimulus money, transportation and climate change.

"I think this is an incredible time to become head of the U.S. Council of Mayors, because we have a federal government that is considering really once-in-a-generation changes in federal policy," said Bruce Katz, vice president of the Brookings Institution, a center-left think tank in Washington, D.C.

A few years ago, Nickels headed a campaign to get 120 mayors to sign on to lower emissions to help combat climate change. More than 900 mayors ended up joining his cause, earning Nickels national praise.

"I think it's really important that the people of Seattle understand, you know, don't take what he did for granted. He really brought other mayors along on climate change," said Doug Palmer, a former conference president and mayor of Trenton, N.J.

Nickels said the position will give him a chance to lobby nationally for Seattle's interests.

It's also a chance for some good press. While Nickels' opponents in the race for mayor are critical of his style and say he has alienated state and regional leaders, his appointment to the U.S. Conference post shows other mayors think he's doing a good job, said former Mayor Norm Rice, a Nickels' supporter.

"I think it works wonders for the city of Seattle in the world (and) brings just the direct reward of recognition of running a good city by your peers," Rice said.

Emily Heffter: 206-464-8246 or eheffter@seattletimes.com