House Okays Bill to Ease Unionizing

House Okays Bill to Ease Unionizing

By MEREDITH KOLODNER

The U.S. House of Representatives passed a bill March 1 that would make it easier for workers to join unions.

Thirteen Republicans joined 228 Democrats to pass the Employee Free Choice Act by a count of 241 to 185. Unions have made the bill their highest legislative priority and are now looking to the Senate, where Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts has promised to introduce a similar measure.

'A Turning Point'

"[This vote] marks a momentous turning point in the growing movement to restore our nation's middle class," AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said in a statement.

The bill would force an employer to recognize a union if a majority of workers signed union authorization cards, allowing them to bypass the traditional ballot election process. It would also increase penalties on companies that violate labor law or illegally interfere in the unionization process.

Only two Democrats voted against the measure: Dan Boren of Oklahoma and Gene Taylor of Mississippi.

In an effort to delay passage of the bill, a group of Republican Members tried to get the bill sent back to committee. Some Republicans wanted to add a provision to allow only U.S. citizens to sign union authorization cards. The House voted down the "recommitment" by a margin of 225 to 202.

"Workers sent a message in the past election that they want their issues to be front and center," said Greg Tarpinian, executive director of Change to Win, a coalition that represents 6 million workers across seven unions. "They want Congress to help make work pay again, and the Employee Free Choice Act is a central part of that effort."

Vice President Dick Cheney has said that President Bush would veto the bill if it reached his desk.