Labor's Favorite Bill Hits A Wall

摘要

In this time of political clashes, nothing is generating more heat in Washington than the fight over card check. The debate is reaching a critical stage.rnCard check is the nickname for a legislative proposal by labor to make it easier for workers to unionize. Today companies can demand that workers who want a union vote by secret ballot. Labor officials instead want workers to opt for union representation simply by signing a card. Once 51% of the workers had signed a pro-union card, the company would have to ink a contract with the union within 120 days-or face binding arbitration.rnCard check has aroused the ire of business and the GOP. "We are going to kill it," vows Steven J. Law, the general counsel for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. The Chamber says the bill, which has just been introduced into both houses of Congress, would open workers to intimidation by unions and deprive management of the chance to make its case in an organized vote. The unions say it's the companies that do the intimidating, not them.rnRight now the GOP is gaining the upper hand in the Senate by drawing moderate Democrats toward their camp, potentially depriving labor of the 60 votes it needs.