Union Bill May Be Dead

By: Brian Montopoli
Topics: Domestic Issues

(CBS/AP)

The so-called "card check" bill, which could revitalize the U.S. labor movement, was delivered a "death blow" today, in the words of the Hill, when Sen. Arlen Specter announced that he would oppose the legislation.

We broke down the battle between labor and business over card check, which would make it far easier for employees to form unions, here. The reason Specter's opposition is such a blow is that he was the only Republican thought to be considering backing the legislation; without him, Democrats likely cannot get the 60 votes needed to avoid a filibuster. Specter was the only Republican to back the bill last time it was introduced.

Pro-business groups have been aggressively lobbying to stop the bill, formally known as the Employee Free Choice Act, and they quickly released statements applauding Specter's decision.

"Sen. Specter should be applauded for opposing this legislation which would have effectively eliminated secret ballots and cost our already weak economy countless more jobs," said J. Justin Wilson, managing director of the Employee Freedom Action Committee.

The Workforce Fairness Institute and the Coalition For a Democratic Workplace, both business-backed groups, also applauded the decision, as did the National Association of Manufacturers and Associated Builders and Contractors.

It should be noted that card check backers say the legislation keeps the secret ballot option open. American Rights At Work, a labor-backed group, called Specter's announcement "inconsistent with his own record of support for working people."

Specter's statement is here; he noted the battle over the bill "has been the most heavily lobbied issue I can recall."

Specter said his main problem with the legislation is "the elimination of the secret ballot which is the cornerstone of how contests are decided in a democratic society."

He added that the recession is a "particularly bad time" to introduce the bill, as "employers understandably complain that adding a burden would result in further job losses."

The decision may help Specter win support from conservatives and business interests in next year's closed Republican primary in Pennsylvania. One of the few Republicans to support the stimulus package, Specter is facing a tough challenge in the state from conservative Pat Toomey.

Brian Montopoli
Brian Montopoli is the senior political reporter at CBSNews.com.
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by ramanShah March 27, 2009 6:42 PM EDT: why they keep saying working people? They should say working union members and their bosses. We don't need unions, unions destroyed the US Automobile industry. Unions just want bloated salaries, 0 copay plans and 70% salaries as pension. They are already eating away our tax money.; Reply to this comment


by sjc_1 March 25, 2009 3:12 PM EDT: When the workers sign cards and get an election, corporate managers have a "little talk" with the rank and file about the election. They make their feelings well known to the workers, they do not want a Union and the implication is that the workers will be punished if there is one.

Not a lot has changed over the decades to make labor/management relations any better. The management still wants to abuse power and the workers just want a fair share of the proceeds that they earned.; Reply to this comment


by dlm327350 March 25, 2009 2:05 PM EDT: If Labor and the private sector are truly concerned about American workers' rights, how about we consider the following: "We strongly believe that the laws, rules and regulations currently on the books that provide protection for American workers are more than adequate. However, the Government should provide the necessary funding to ensure that the NLRB is fully staffed to support timely organizing private-ballot elections, and to fully and quickly investigate allegations of labor abuses, and be positioned to prosecute should investigated circumstances dictate that abuse has occurred. Whether abuse stems from employers or labor organizers, the NLRB should have the necessary resources to support the law. We believe that with proper funding and staffing, the current laws, rules and regulations could be enforced, thereby meeting the legitimate concerns from both Labor and the Private Sector regarding labor law abuse and to protect the Amerian workers' right to join a union."

Adding staffing to the NLRB falls right in line with the efforts to grow Government, but at least in this case, some good can come of it.; Reply to this comment


by McHineguy March 25, 2009 2:54 AM EDT: Why are unions afraid of a secret ballot? Do they think ACORN will find a way to stuff those ballot boxes too?

Come on Libs, you cant be for liberty and against a secret ballot. Dont give me the claim that they can still have secret ballots, we all know they wont. And even if they would, why not make it standard practice to hold secret ballots?

Its obvious to us all that you are seeking a way to coerce free workers.; Reply to this comment


by steeepe March 24, 2009 7:12 PM EDT: Why is everybody so afraid of a filibuster? What a bunch of chickens! The Democrats need to grow some spine. Let the GOP filibuster so that Americans can see what they stand for. I've never seen such a bunch of wimps in Congress. Merely threatening a filibuster causes everybody to cower like a bunch of cowards.; Reply to this comment


by sjc_1 March 24, 2009 6:51 PM EDT: They may have to wait until 2011, when they get a 60 vote majority. That way they do not have to depend on a few of the opposition to get it to a vote.; Reply to this comment


by efcanow March 24, 2009 6:43 PM EDT: Union Bill May Be Dead ...Don't Count On It!

AFL-CIO president John Sweeney released this statement regarding Arlen Specter's decision to oppose the Employee Free Choice Act. "Today?s announcement by Sen. Specter -- a sponsor of the original Employee Free Choice Act who voted for cloture in 2007 -- is frankly a disappointment and a rebuke to working people, to his own constituents in Pennsylvania and working families around the country." Sweeney continues, "The fact is the Employee Free Choice Act has more support than ever -- large majorities in both houses of Congress, the President and Vice President, 73 percent of the public. We will continue to work with Democrats and a number of Republicans to create commonsense solutions to the decades of corporate power. We do not plan to let a hardball campaign from Big Business derail the Employee Free Choice Act or the dreams of workers."

Website: www.TheTruthAboutEFCA.Org

http://efcanow.blogspot.com/; Reply to this comment