LABOR

Battle Emerges for SEIU Presidency: Andy Stern, a vice president of the Service Employees International Union, formally announced his candidacy for the presidency of the fast-growing organization. He will challenge Richard Cordtz, who became interim leader of the SEIU after the previous president, John Sweeney, left to become head of the AFL-CIO in October. Joining Stern’s ticket is the current SEIU secretary-treasurer, Betty Bednarczyk, who will seek reelection at the union’s April 23 convention in Chicago. Cordtz’s running mate is controversial New York labor leader Gus Bevona. Stern also named two Californians--Eliseo Medina of San Diego and Pat Ford from the Oakland area--along with Paul Policicchio of Detroit as candidates for the newly created positions of executive vice presidents.