The Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, a local political powerhouse and national model, is close to electing Martin Ludlow as its leader following the May death of Miguel Contreras. Ludlow will take charge of the county federation just as the national labor movement may be on the verge of splintering. There have been indications from Ludlow and other local union leaders that the County Fed will stay united, even if the national movement is fragmented in coming weeks.
See "Former Rivals Back Ludlow as Labor Chief", Noam N. Levey, Los Angeles Times, July 14, 2005