Even in LA, I think union corruption (and political corruption) reflects a society in which business-style greed is the dominant mode of operation. In business, this greed is considered to be normal if not admirable; it's a kind of behavior that's rewarded, cultivated, and encouraged. (This is true at the upper levels and if it's not against the law and the greed-head doesn't get caught.)
On the other hand, when there's a large enough socialist or social democratic or communist or anarchist labor movement, an alternative mentality of solidarity can replace labor union and political corruption, counteracting business-style greed.
which comes first, the chicken of individual labor union (or politician) corruption or the egg of a continually floundering and non-solidarity-minded labor movement encouraging individual corruption?
the answer is of course, both. Individual corruption needs to be combatted so that a healthy labor movement will grow, which then helps fight individual corruption, which helps make the labor movement more solidarity-minded... -- Jim Devine / Bust Big Brother Bush! "There are no whole truths; all truths are half-truths. It is trying to treat them as whole truths that plays the devil." -- Alfred North Whitehead