Get ready...we’re the football!

I was disappointed that Antonio Villaraigosa lost his race to become Mayor of Los Angeles. Antonio is a man of proven vision and ability, and he would have been one of the highest elected officials in the country to have come directly from the ranks of organized labor. He would have been a great mayor. He will always have my high regard and best wishes.

Labor worked hard for Antonio, and helped bring him from a projected vote share of five percent a little over a year ago to the lead in the primary election of 30% and a final share of 46%. This attests to the dominance in Los Angeles politics of voters who are progressive, who believe that a decent life is every worker’s right, and who see a vital government role in promoting a just and happy society.

We were fortunate this time around, in the mayoral race and also in a number of the council races, to be asked to choose not the usual “lesser of two evils” but rather the best of two good candidates. James Hahn, as County Fed chief Miguel Contreras said in an LA Times interview, is not Pete Wilson. He is a liberal Democrat with a commitment to progressive principles. Contreras said, and I agree, that Hahn will be with us on most important issues, but he “has to be educated and convinced.”

I congratulate Jim Hahn, and look forward to working with him and the new city council. Los Angeles is a great city with the potential to lead the world in solving the pressing problems of the 21st century. We can build a city and a world where people can live in prosperity and peace, but to do so we will have to address the challenges of poverty and violence that beset us. This is the task before our leaders, and we will help them keep it in mind.

MEANWHILE, OUTGOING Mayor Richard Riordan has met with Bush’s “kingmakers” to consider a run for governor. Riordan vs. Davis…won’t that be something? A political football game, the “Power Bowl,” and guess what the ball is? The LA DWP! Electrical workers, get ready to be the center of attention!

It’s already started, with a television ad campaign blaming Davis for the energy crisis. The source of financing for the campaign has not been revealed, but it is a transparent move to use the energy crisis to attack the Democratic incumbent and deflect blame from the price-gouging profiteers. Who is paying for those ads?

But it must be said that Davis has not quick to act in this crisis. His initiatives have been secretive, and he has failed to do what needs to be done to pull the state out of its chaotic energy situation. He should be restoring much-needed regulation to this vital sector.

Under the MOU, we have the right to review contracts for work that could have been done by our members. We have complained about the contractor’s work practices and failure to hire union workers at the Harbor GS repowering. Management knew that this contractor was not acceptable to us, but awarded the contract anyway. If they had pursued a more acceptable contract from the start, the project would be underway today.

In unity,

BRIAN D’ARCY, Business Manager