DENVER -- With a decision expected any day on where the Democratic Party will hold its 2008 national convention, a union leader in Denver has refused to sign a no-strike pledge, a move one organizer called a possible deal-breaker.

Jim Taylor, head of the Local No. 7 International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, is refusing to sign the agreement pledging not to strike if the convention comes to Denver, labor officials told The Denver Post.

Calls to Taylor and to Leslie Moody, president of the Denver Area Labor Federation, by The Associated Press on Tuesday were not immediately returned.

The Democratic National Committee will decide by the end of the year whether to nominate its next presidential candidate in Denver or in New York City, spokesman Damien LaVera said. He declined to comment on the negotiations.

Debbie Willhite, executive director of Denver's host committee, told the Post that a lack of full union support for the city's bid is "probably a deal-breaker" for the Democratic National Committee.

Willhite did not immediately return a call from the AP on Tuesday.

But Elbra Wedgworth, City Council president and a leader of the host committee, said Tuesday she was confident the group could resolve Taylor's concerns. She said Kroenke Sports Enterprises, which owns the Pepsi Center where the convention would be held, has agreed to have the staff hired by the host committee.

"The irony is that we are wanting to pay hundreds of union people and pay them union salaries, and we would think that's what they want," she said. "These are jobs, people that want to work."

Moody said Monday that labor organizations view the Pepsi Center as anti-union.

The Colorado AFL-CIO last month approved a resolution in support of Denver's convention bid.

Sen. Ken Salazar sounded cautiously optimistic Tuesday about Denver's chances of hosting the convention.

"I think there's still some final conversations going on, but I expect that we will be OK with the labor issues and we will be able to move forward," said Salazar.

Salazar said discussions involving local union officials have lead to an understanding that will satisfy both the labor and political communities and will also include a no-strike pledge.

"I think the agreement will call for the workers who are working there during the time of the convention to essentially be members of the organized labor," said Salazar. "The signing of the labor agreement won't fully guarantee will get to hold the convention, but it is certainly a significant step in the right direction."

Salazar said he believes the city can deliver on the roughly $30 million it will need to raise to help put on the convention.