LOS ANGELES : Riordan Cites Shared Views With Union Leaders

Although he faces potential conflicts with unions in the coming months, Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan met privately with labor leaders Wednesday and agreed to incorporate their views in decisions.

“We found that we agree on more things than we disagree on,” Riordan said after the session at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel.

Union leaders are suspicious of Riordan’s proposal to privatize some city operations. In addition, union members in the Department of Water and Power have authorized their leadership to call a strike.

Jim Wood of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor called the meeting with Riordan an important first step, but added: “What his relationship with us will be has yet to be determined.”