The Nation : Labor Rally Likely Boon to Koch Rival

More than 20,000 hospital workers rallied near Columbia University as part of a one-day strike against 53 hospitals and nursing homes in New York City, a sign of renewed labor vigor that may be a big boost to Manhattan Borough President David N. Dinkins’ hopes to become the city’s first black mayor this fall. The rally, one of the biggest labor demonstrations in memory, demanded an 8.5% wage increase in each of the next two years. The hospital workers and a broad coalition of other unions have endorsed Dinkins, who leads incumbent Mayor Edward I. Koch in a number of polls leading up to September’s Democratic primary. Koch and Dinkins will meet in their first debate Wednesday.