Union-backed ‘card check’ bill seeks GOP support

WASHINGTON -- Supporters of the union-backed "card check" bill are courting Republicans anew after a key GOP senator announced this week that he was going to oppose it, Sen. Harry Reid said.

Reid, D-Nev., said Friday the defection of Sen. Arlen Specter, R-Pa., does not necessarily sink the bill, although he did not offer predictions during a breakfast meeting with reporters organized by the Christian Science Monitor.

"With Specter backing out, I think -- I know there are conversations going on now with other Republicans to see what can be done to come up with a piece of legislation that will help working men and women in this country," Reid said, not naming who is participating in the talks.

Specter appeared to throw a wrench into the chances of the Employee Free Choice Act when he made a surprise announcement Tuesday that he would not help Democrats break an expected filibuster when the bill comes up later this year.

The senator from union-strong Pennsylvania voted for the card check measure when the issue was debated in 2007, and was considered key to Democrats' chances to gather 60 votes to ensure its passage this year.

But Specter is facing a tough re-election in 2010, and is trailing former Rep. Pat Toomey in the Republican primary. Reid surmised Specter came out against card check to build support with Republican constituencies back home.

"But it hasn't helped him," Reid said. "In Pennsylvania, he is (considerably) behind in the Republican primary."

Reid confirmed that he had spoken to Specter about switching parties, as have other Democratic leaders in that state. Those efforts ended when Specter made his announcement.

"I think in coming out against card check he sort of stopped everyone from being able to help him," Reid said.

The Employee Free Choice Act would allow unions to organize workplaces into bargaining units automatically after a majority of workers sign authorization forms. The National Labor Relations Board now oversees secret elections to ratify decisions to unionize.

Business groups and Republicans in Congress have campaigned against the bill, charging it will tilt workplaces toward unions, while depriving workers of the secret ballot to make their decisions without union strong-arming.

The bill contains other provisions that force employers to bargain with the new units within 120 days or risk appointment of a government arbitrator to force a contract.

Talking with reporters, Reid professed not to understand the fuss over card check.

"The business community is really flogging a horse that doesn't deserve it," Reid said.

The percentage of unionized workers has dropped from 25 percent three decades ago to only 6 percent now, he said.

"I mean, who is worried about this?" Reid said. "I think allowing people to organize, there is nothing wrong with that."

Reid said a new path may have been set by a compromise that was offered last weekend by Costco Wholesale Corp., Starbucks Corp. and Whole Foods Corp. Although it was rejected by both sides, Reid said it shows there are business interests that want to work something out.

"They are a long ways from agreeing with the card check legislation," he said. "But there is agreement in there and we should work on agreement."

Contact Stephens Washington Bureau Chief Steve Tetreault at stetreault@stephensmedia.com or 202-783-1760.