CA labor leader: "We are going to do everything in our power to make sure Jerry Brown wins"

Determined to protect their bloated pensions and health care plans -- even as public employee pensions threaten to bankrupt the state -- public employee unions are lining up behind Moonbeam.

Frightened by Whitman's pledges to reduce the state work force, union members will also mobilize to help Brown, said Rick Icaza, president of the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor.

"From our perspective we're going to do everything in our power, which is the manpower, to make sure that Jerry wins," Icaza said. "The membership realizes what's at stake if Meg Whitman gets elected."

Brown admitted as much last month when he told the Laborers' International Union of North America, "I'd rather have you attack. I'd rather be the nice guy in this race."

Previous:

• Report: SEIU gives $150,000 to Moonbeam campaign 
• SEIU, other unions launch campaign to defeat Whitman
• SEIU California president: electing Jerry Brown is "first priority"
• Massive public employee union SEIU set to endorse Jerry Brown