FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Unions, however, say the mega-deals may be hurting workers and widening economic inequality. The Service Employees International Union has mounted a campaign urging private equity investors to give workers a say in buyout deals.

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FROM THE LOS ANGELES TIMES

Concerned about private equity investors' growing clout, some unions are trying to pressure the firms to preserve jobs and let workers partake of the financial benefits of successful restructurings.

The Service Employees International Union, which represents certain government and healthcare workers, is scheduled to testify Wednesday before Congress about the effect of the private equity boom on companies and workers.

"You have a relative handful of companies that have extraordinary influence on the lives of literally millions of workers," said Stephen Lerner, an organizer at SEIU. "There's a choice for private equity, which is to say, 'Yes, we do have a broader responsibility to makes things better,' or they can say, 'All we care about is making money and tough luck' " for those who get hurt.

Read the full article in the Los Angeles Times »