Citing Labor Dispute, Lynch To Keep Senate Ads Off WCVB-TV

U.S. Rep. Stephen Lynch says he will not run ads for his U.S. Senate campaign on Boston's WCVB-TV because of an ongoing contract dispute between the station and some union employees.

In a letter to WCVB on Friday, the Boston Democrat said he could not in "good conscience" advertise on the station while members of IBEW Local 1228 have been working without a new contract for nearly two years.

The union represents dozens of camera operators, editors and technicians at the station.

Lynch says he hopes the pressure will help the workers.

"Sometimes a little urgency will help both parties," he told WBUR's Fred Thys. "We just felt that it was the right thing to do."

WCVB did not immediately comment on the letter.

Lynch is a long-time member of the Boston ironworkers union and has made his support for labor a cornerstone of his campaign. IBEW has endorsed Lynch and asked for his help.

The union did not ask him to boycott a debate co-hosted by WCVB, WBUR and other media later this month.

Democratic political consultant Chris Keohan called it a bold move on Lynch's part because it puts his primary opponent, U.S. Rep. Ed Markey, on the spot.

"It actually puts the ball in Congressman Markey's court to see if he'll come out and do the same thing," Keohan said.

With reporting by The Associated Press and the WBUR Newsroom