Democrats Hint Card Check May Need to Be Compromised

You Can't compromise stripping away a secret ballot, no matter what they say.

WASHINGTON (AP) -- Democratic leaders hinted Tuesday that compromise may be needed to get wavering lawmakers on board for a bill to make union organizing easier.

The Democrats insisted they are not losing support, but acknowledged that some changes might be needed.

The comments came as the Employee Free Choice Act was formally introduced in the House and Senate, intensifying the already heated debate between business groups that oppose the measure and labor groups that consider it their top priority.

Iowa Sen. Tom Harkin, a lead sponsor of the bill, said his colleagues are talking about ''certain modifications,'' but no agreement has been reached.

''There might be some amendments that don't destroy the underpinnings of the bill, maybe provide for better enforcement,'' Harkin said. ''That type of thing might be acceptable.''

The bill would dramatically reform labor laws by allowing workers to form unions by simply signing a card or petition, removing an employer's right to demand a secret ballot vote. It also would impose stronger penalties on employers who violate labor laws and allow for arbitration to settle contract disputes.

People do have cold feet, is it fear or shame that is causing democrats to back peddle?

'"These depressed co-sponsorship numbers show that lawmakers aren't just getting cold feet on card check -- they're getting frostbite,'' said Steven Law, general counsel for the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.