Democrats vie for union endorsements

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-candidates21-2010mar21,0,411640.story

At SEIU video-conference forums across the state, candidates for lieutenant governor and attorney general criticize state employee furloughs and tout their pro-labor backgrounds.

By Maeve Reston

March 21, 2010

Democratic candidates for statewide office vied for a key labor endorsement Saturday, trying to outdo one another in their criticism of state employee furloughs and other budget cuts that have affected union workers.

The candidates appeared at Service Employee International Union forums across the state that were linked into one video conference. The SEIU endorsement is an important marker for candidates, particularly those who are unknown outside their home bases and struggling to raise the money and manpower for statewide races.

With strict 1-minute time limits that cut off several candidates in mid-sentence, the forums offered more of a contrast in style than in policy.

The gatherings also marked the first matchup between Los Angeles City Councilwoman Janice Hahn and San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom, who want to run for lieutenant governor in the fall. Newsom entered the contest a little more than a week ago . He abandoned his gubernatorial bid last fall.

Both candidates touched on their experiences on picket lines, but Hahn sought to frame herself as a more reliable friend of labor.

Both San Francisco and Los Angeles are facing the prospect of thousands of layoffs to close half-billion-dollar budget gaps next year. In an attempt to spare San Francisco thousands of permanent job cuts, Newsom has advanced a plan to temporarily lay off 17,000 of the city's 26,000 employees and rehire them with a 37.5-hour work week. The plan is on hold pending further union negotiations.

FULL story at link.