Four Senators Key to Fate of Labor Bill

Washington, DC, March 20, 2009–Four senators likely will decide the fate of the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).

Sens. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR), Mark Prior (D-AR), Michael Bennet (D-CO), and Arlen Specter (R-PA) are the reported swing votes that will decide whether the law governing labor organizing will prevail.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce has begun a multi-million-dollar campaign against EFCA. Thomas J. Donohue, president of the 3 million member Chamber, calls it simply a “union power grab.”

In addition, the board of the National Association of Manufacturers “recently unanimously passed a resolution against the bill.” NAM President and Chief Executive Officer John Engler said “at a time when our economy is struggling to create and retain jobs, I am concerned that Congress would introduce the anti-democratic Employee Free Choice Act. If passed, EFCA would destroy jobs and place an even heavier burden on large and small companies.”