Former L.A. Mayor Richard Riordan's support of a California ballot initiative that would prevent unions from contributing directly to political campaigns has put him on the hot plate (or hate plate?) with an L.A. labor group.

Yeah, the L.A.-based Teamsters Joint Council 42 wants to “have breakfast” with Riordan to talk it over.

Now, any fan of the Sopranos would tell you that a “sit-down” with the teamsters could end up with a trip to the hospital, but …

… in this case they're asking the former mayor to meet up at his own restaurant, The Original Pantry downtown (can't be that scary, can it?).

Riordan.

Riordan.

In a letter to Riordan (PDF), Council 42 President Randy Cammack says:

We urge you to reconsider your support of this polarizing issue that intends to silence working families and strip long-held rights of organized labor.

The union says Riordan written a $50,000 check — nearly the amount of the median household income in California — to support a group, Californians Against Special Interests, that has given $200,000 to the ballot initiative.

The measure would prevent unions from using automatic paycheck deductions meant for dues for political campaigns. It's being called the “Paycheck Protection Initiative.”

Cammack writes:

… LA is still suffering from double-digit employment and nearly one-quarter of children in Los Angeles County are growing up in poverty … [so] we would much prefer to spend our resources in helping working families get back on their feet.

Will Riordan show (with bodyguards in tow)?


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Be there and find out for yourself (and order the wheat cakes): The showdown (or lack thereof) happens Wednesday at 9 a.m. at The Original Pantry, 877 S. Figueroa St.

[@dennisjromero / djromero@laweekly.com / @LAWeeklyNews]

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