Ludlow’s resignation

Re “Labor’s loss,” editorial, Feb. 22

Martin Ludlow’s resignation as leader of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor is a sad day for all working people in Southern California. He was a charismatic leader who had the ability to bring a fractious labor movement together. Unfortunately, there is a double standard for labor and business. U.S. labor laws are not set up to protect dues payers; they are set up to preserve corporate dominance of the political system. Ludlow ran afoul of that double standard.

JOHN LLOYD

Sierra Madre

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Your editorial about the damage Ludlow’s resignation from the Federation of Labor may do to the labor movement and the mayor’s political base ignores the more egregious result of Ludlow’s activities. By all the available evidence, including his own words, Ludlow corrupted a free election. Ludlow lost in the preliminary round of his campaign for the 10th District City Council seat by a margin of about 13% points. He won the subsequent runoff by a margin smaller than that.

Had Ludlow played by the rules, there might never have been a runoff. Labor’s substantial and deliberately concealed illegal resources provided to Ludlow may well have been the difference in both races. Labor may suffer a setback, but the voters of the 10th District were robbed of a fair election.

DAVID HAMLIN

Los Angeles

The writer’s firm served as paid communications consultants to Deron Williams, Ludlow’s opponent in the 10th District race.