Labor on the wane? Not in L.A. - Los Angeles Times

[flamingdem]

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-newton-column-labor-20110905,0,244942.column

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Today, the labor picture in Los Angeles is radically different. Even as labor has lost clout nationally, in Los Angeles it has greatly expanded its influence and horizons, organizing new groups of workers and pressing its case with allies in city, county and state government. Roughly 16.5% of Los Angeles workers are union members, up from less than 15% five years ago. In recent months, labor has helped organize hotel workers near LAX and in Hollywood, and it's added security workers to its successful campaign to organize janitors (that was an especially important addition, as it brought representation to a largely African American labor group). Organizers are beginning to target waste and recycling workers, and they are eyeing the potentially significant new force of "green" workers, those creating or installing solar panels and other environmental technologies.

Those efforts are testament to the work of many people, but none more than Maria Elena Durazo, executive secretary treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor. Durazo, whose late husband, Miguel Contreras, is widely credited with igniting Los Angeles labor as a political and social force, has concentrated on organizing low-wage workers and building coalitions with clergy, environmental groups, advocates for immigrant rights and others. One result, says Madeline Janis, the executive director of the labor-connected group Los Angeles Alliance for a New Economy, is that labor here — unlike in some parts of the country — operates with both a coherent vision and a specific strategy.

Interviewed in her office last week, Durazo acknowledged that "in some ways, L.A. is the exception" to the national trends in labor, but stressed that the work remains arduous. Grocery workers are considering a strike. Business leaders, though cooperative on projects such as the proposed downtown football stadium, complain that labor demands too much in tough economic times.

Politically, labor's influence is significant if uneven. United Teachers Los Angeles has antagonized not only the public but many in the labor movement with its defense of a failing status quo; the Los Angeles Police Protective League is still habitually referred to as "politically powerful," but there's not much evidence of that anymore.

But labor puts boots on the ground and helps elect candidates at all levels. The union representing the city's Department of Water and Power employees wields what many consider too much control of that agency. And Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has had his differences with his old labor allies, despite Durazo being one of his closest friends. Still, his current emphasis on jobs is welcomed in the movement. "He hasn't had all the focus that he needs," Durazo said of Villaraigosa. But his work on accelerating transportation projects is a "great contribution."

Local labor's successes will hearten those who believe organizing can pave the way to a better future for workers in a deeply troubled economy. It will agitate those who view unions as rigid and overly demanding. Durazo, meanwhile, is plowing ahead. "We're trying to change the exclusivity of the labor movement," she said. "It's not about 'Are you a member?' It's about lifting as many people as possible to a respectable standard of living."

[Generic Other]

1. It's about lifting as many people as possible to a respectable standard of living.

That can't be said enough.

[flamingdem]

2. That seems brilliant to me, inclusive

I haven't heard that idea from national union leaders, it's smart. It speaks to those who feel left out in some way because they are not in a union. I hope that message spreads and is expressed by union leaders nationally.

[flamingdem]

3. Kick