CONTRERAS WIDELY MOURNED LABOR LEADER REMEMBERED FOR HIS SKILL, COMPASSION.

Byline: Rick Orlov Staff Writer

Labor leader Miguel Contreras was remembered on Saturday for his wit, compassion, political acumen and commitment to labor as family and friends across the country mourned his death.

Contreras, the influential executive secretary-treasurer of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, AFL-CIO, died Friday afternoon of an apparent heart attack after working all day in his offices near the downtown area. He was 52.

``I had talked to him three times during the day and he hadn't complained about feeling bad,'' said Councilman Martin Ludlow, who once worked for Contreras as political director of the federation. ``But it wasn't his way to complain. We were talking politics and laughing and making plans for after the (May 17) election.''

After suffering the apparent heart attack, Contreras was taken to Daniel Freeman Hospital in Inglewood. His wife, Maria Elena Durazo, was at the hospital with him.

Funeral arrangements are pending.

The federation's political director, Charles Lester, will take over as interim director of the association of 345 local unions.

The federation's board will decide in the near future on procedures for selecting a new executive secretary-treasurer.

Union officials and others said the death of Contreras would not affect the group's political plans, which had been put in place over the past several weeks. The labor group has endorsed Mayor James Hahn's re-election, even though many union members have close ties with the challenger, Councilman Antonio Villaraigosa.

Villaraigosa said that he felt he has lost a member of his family.

``My relationship with Miguel went beyond politics and beyond organizing,'' Villaraigosa said. ``I have lost a brother. Los Angeles has lost one of its brightest and most passionate leaders.''

Villaraigosa and Ludlow spent much of the night with Durazo and her sons, Michael and Mario, consoling them. Hahn also went to the hospital to offer condolences.

``He was a man who dedicated his life to working people, from the fields of Central California to the streets of Los Angeles,'' Hahn said. ``I will miss him. The people of the city will miss him.''

Accolades for Contreras came in from across the country, saluting the man who become one of the top labor leaders in the nation, overseeing the 800,000 union members in Los Angeles County.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger praised Contreras for his ``devotion to improving the lives of others.''

Cardinal Roger Mahony, who first met Contreras some 20 years ago in Central California, called the labor leader ``a great champion and leader.''

``He was one of the first leaders in our community to voice concern that so many minimum-wage earners in Southern California were falling behind in their ability to support their families,'' Mahony said in a statement. ``Miguel Contreras' voice was one of the few that warned of the ever-widening income gap. He sought to bring social justice principles to bear on this inequity and became the leading champion for the working poor.''

Assembly Speaker Fabian Nuez, D-Los Angeles, who had worked as political director for Contreras before being elected to the Legislature, called the union leader a friend.

``Mere words cannot do justice for this man of great accomplishment and vision,'' Nuez said. ``I have lost a great friend and brother and working families have lost a great champion.''

Tim Leiweke, president of AEG, said the city's Staples Center complex and plans for the new downtown sports-entertainment center could not have been completed without Contreras' assistance.

``He was a man of integrity and someone who represented his constituency well,'' Leiweke said. ``I don't think we could have done what we did without his help.''

Ludlow said he remained impressed by Contreras' ability to motivate people and mix with all groups.

``I would see him in a boardroom talking to billionaires and give a speech on the details of the local economy without a note and then go out an hour later and talk to and motivate a group of the working poor, giving them hope that things would get better,'' he said. ``There aren't many people who can do that.''

Contreras also served on the city Airport Commission under Hahn and former Mayor Richard Riordan.

Board president Cheryl Peterson said she was stunned by his death.

``He played a pivotal role in advancing the airport's modernization,'' Peterson said. ``He was respected for his integrity and admired for his dedication to improving the lives of working men and women.''

United Farm Workers President Arturo Rodriguez, who worked with Contreras, praised him for his skill and serving as an inspiration to workers.

``Miguel set a new proactive course of the labor movement,'' Rodriguez said. ``He demonstrated how working families can achieve tremendous gains for themselves and their communities.''

Sen. Dianne Feinstein said she was was ``deeply saddened'' at Contreras' passing.

``Like Cesar Chavez, Miguel Contreras believed deeply in a cause - that workers deserve a fair wage, health care, job security and the other important benefits that should accrue from putting in a hard day's work,'' Feinstein said.

Rick Orlov, [phone]

rick.orlov(at)dailynews.com

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