WSJ: Unions Welcome Specter’s Switch

[Omaha Steve]

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/04/28/unions-welcome-specters-switch/

Kris Maher reports on labor issues.

Union officials and others welcomed Sen. Arlen Specter’s switch to the Democratic Party, saying it could help organized labor achieve its top priority of revising labor laws to make it easier to organize workers.

That’s not because Specter is expected to change his stance on the Employee Free Choice Act, which makes it easier for workers to unionize. In fact, Specter made a point of saying he will still oppose the legislation, known as card check.

But Specter has suggested shortening the time period leading up to union elections to 10 days after a petition is filed with the government. There is no set time period under current law, but the median number of days between filing the petition and the election is 39 days.

As a Democrat, Specter could play a larger role in building support within the party for such a bill, especially among Democrats who have been wavering on changing labor laws, said Michael Lotito, a Jackson Lewis LLP partner who advises companies during union organizing drives. “Being a Democrat, he’s in a better position to be a power broker,” Lotito said.

FULL story at link.