The New York Times reports that several labor friendly Democrats, including Sens. Tom Harkin (D-IA) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) have embraced an Employee Free Choice Act compromise to win the support of conservative Democrats. That compromise? Eliminating Card Check–the majority sign-up provision that would end the secret ballot process, and, labor leaders say, curb employer intimidation.
AFL-CIO spokesman Eddie Vale tells Ben Smith: “[T]his is the normal process of how a bill becomes a law.”
We are very optimistic about passing the strongest labor law reform since the Wagner Act — one that lets workers choose to join a union without intimidation or harassment, ensures that workers who join a union get a first contract, and has meaningful penalties for violations.
But Andy Stern seems less than pleased, tweeting, “we expect a vote in the bill or by amendment on majority sign-up in both houses of Congress.”
I’m told a fuller statement is on its way, but clearly this compromise won’t go down without several spoons full of sugar.