But Leo Troy, an economics professor at Rutgers University's Newark campus and an expert on labor-management issues, said he doubted the impact would be great.

"They must ensure the foreign investors that the regulations will work, there will be tax incentives and the labor-management issue will be controlled."

At this point OSHA has taken the stance that it is a labor-management issue.

Which side will he take on labor-management issues?

Mr. Harrigan was removed from the Calpers board by a government body, the State Personnel Board, which handles labor-management issues for California's civil service.

He emphasized a problem-solving approach to labor-management issues, rather than the confrontational approach of the past.

He was active in labor-management issues, with a reputation as a moderate Republican.

"I didn't raise this as just a labor-management issue," Mr. Villaraigosa said, "but as a homeland security issue."

Harold J. Ruttenberg, a research director for the United Steelworkers of America who changed sides, became a business executive and remained outspoken on labor-management issues, died on Saturday at his home in Pittsburgh.