PA labor pushing Specter vote for pro union legislation

    Pennsylvania labor leaders are reportedly pushing Republican Senator Arlen Specter to back so-called “card check” legislation to make it easier to unionize workers. In exchange they’re offering their support in his upcoming bid for re-election, which analysts say could be difficult.

    Pennsylvania labor leaders are reportedly pushing Republican Senator Arlen Specter to back so-called “card check” legislation to make it easier to unionize workers. In exchange they’re offering their support in his upcoming bid for reelection, which analysts say could be difficult.

    Transcript:
    Republican political analyst Jeff Jubelirer says Senator Specter’s chance of keeping his job could hinge on his vote for or against the Employee Free Choice Act.

    Jubelirer: “If he votes against this bill I believe a lot of folks who were disappointed in his vote on the stimulus bill will come back to his tent. If he were to vote favorably to the union on this bill, that combined with the vote on the stimulus, I think it would make it very very difficult for the Senator to hold on through a Republican primary.”

    Jubelirer says it’s unlikely Specter will decide to switch parties, and will have to survive a Republican primary challenge.

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    Conservative Peg Luksik, who has run for governor, says she’ll run against Specter in the primary, and other possible candidates have expressed interest in joining the race.

    Listen:
    Click on the play button below or right click on this link and choose “Save Link As” to download. [audio: reports20090317union.mp3]

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