The Missouri Democratic Party will move its signature gala away from the America’s Center because of the facility’s dispute with unions.

On Monday, the downtown St. Louis convention center locked out three locals representing audio-visual workers, the culmination of 16-months of discussions that have failed to yield a resolution.

In response to the lockout, the state Democratic Party - which counts labor as a core constituency group - said today that it will move its annual Jefferson-Jackson Dinner from the America’s Center to the Renaissance Grand Hotel - just across the street.

The move is a “show of respect” to the unions that have been shut out, party Chairman John J. Temporiti wrote to supporters today.

The April 5 dinner - featuring an annual who’s who of Show-Me Democrats - will this year honor three local lions of the party: former U.S. Sen. Jean Carnahan, and former U.S. Reps. Dick Gephardt and Bill Clay.

The dispute with the electrical and stage worker unions centers on efforts by the Convention and Visitors Bureau, which runs the America’s Center, to cut costs and eliminate “labor brokers” that act as middlemen.