UAW Spurns One of Its Own to Back Bernardi

Seeking support, even from old friends, for a campaign against a popular San Fernando Valley councilman can be a tough task. Just ask Paul Goldener.

Goldener, a former three-term president of United Auto Workers Local 645 in Van Nuys, has lost the endorsement of his own labor organization to Councilman Ernani Bernardi, the man he is trying to defeat in the April 9 Los Angeles city election.

The unsolicited endorsement by the UAW’s Western Region came as a pleasant surprise, said Bernardi, who, by his own admission, has never been considered a friend of unions.

Four years ago, Bernardi was No. 1 on a “hit list” of candidates targeted for defeat by the city police and fire unions because of his sponsorship of a successful 1980 campaign limiting police and firefighter pensions. Goldener, who also was Bernardi’s opponent in 1981, received $50,000 from those unions. Bernardi won with 76% of the vote.

Candidate Not Endorsed

This year, Bernardi was the only council member facing opposition who wasn’t endorsed by the County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO.

But the federation didn’t endorse Goldener, either. According to federation chief William Robertson, the organization wanted to avoid spending its limited resources, including funds for campaign contributions, in races “where we see the candidates don’t have a chance.”

The fire and police unions are taking no position on Bernardi’s race.

Reacting to the UAW endorsement, Goldener, a 57-year-old quality control inspector on the General Motors assembly line in Van Nuys, said, “I’m not embarrassed by it. He’s the incumbent. They figure it’s a sure bet.

“The UAW receives city grant moneys,” Goldener said. “On that basis, it’s in their best interests to support the incumbent.”

Funds for Retraining

Bruce Lee, UAW regional director, said Bernardi has voted to provide funds to the union to retrain laid-off auto workers.

“You just can’t turn your back on people who support you just because his opponent is one of your members,” Lee said.

Except for several Bernardi billboards scattered throughout the mid-Valley’s 7th District, there has been little sign of a campaign.

Besides Goldener, Bernardi is opposed by Marty Israel, who listed his occupation for the ballot as “television consumer advocate.” Repeated efforts to contact Israel have been unsuccessful.