Which Way, L.A.?

Miguel Contreras and the LA Labor Movement

Tomorrow in downtown Los Angeles, mourners plan a procession to Our Lady of Angels Cathedral in honor of a migrant farm worker who became one of LA's most powerful political leaders. Fifty-two year-old Miguel Contreras, head of the LA County Federation of Labor, died of a heart attack on Saturday. At a time when the union movement is in serious trouble nationwide, Contreras brought it unprecedented clout in Los Angeles. We hear two views of this major political leader from Peter Dreier, Director of the Urban and Environmental Policy Program at Occidental College, and Brendan Huffman, Director of Public Policy at the Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce. Reporter's Notebook: Westside's 11th Council Race Bill Rosendahl and Flora Gil Krisiloff are in a run-off for LA-s 11th City Council District, being vacated by Cindy Miscikowski, who's termed out. Rosendahl got 45% in the primary to Krisiloff-s 42%. A third candidate, Angela Reddock, has since endorsed Rosendahl. Today's LA Times says the candidates agree on the main issues--easing traffic, going slow and development and opposing expansion of LAX--claiming they differ mainly in style. We hear from the candidates for the only open seat on the LA City Council.