Power struggle at DWP

When H. David Nahai takes the helm today at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, expectations are high that he will improve significantly the rough relations with the powerful union boss who represents more than 90 percent of the utility's employees.Kerry Cavanaugh in the Daily News.

Still, inside City Hall a number of city leaders are wondering whether Nahai will be able to stand up to the powerful union and might compromise too much in the name of labor peace.

"The labor leadership at the DWP is exceedingly strong and powerful and is absolutely a major key player in how that department is run. There's no argument about that," City Controller Laura Chick said. "I would want to be reassured to know that the DWP is run by strong management that works closely with labor, but not run by labor."