Union members will still CHECK off Specter

    The newest member of the Democratic party, Senator Arlen Specter, is enjoying the support of Pennsylvania union households.

    The newest member of the Democratic party, Senator Arlen Specter, is enjoying the support of Pennsylvania union households. The support comes despite Specter’s opposition to legislation called Card Check, that would make it easier for employees to form unions.

    Listen:
    [audio: 090504sbunion.mp3]

    The Employee Free Choice Act, or EFCA, would allow employees to form a union simply by having a majority sign on to the idea. Labor advocates say this system would make it easier for laborers to form unions.

    • WHYY thanks our sponsors — become a WHYY sponsor

    Specter has said he’ll oppose the legislation even as a Democrat, and a new Quinnipiac University poll says 57% of Pennsylvania union households aren’t phased by Specter’s stance.

    Bill George is President of the Pennsylvania AFL-CIO.

    George: He told Jim Hoffa Jr. and I that he was willing to look at a re-evaluation based on some changes that would take place, so we’re excited about having that opportunity to have that discussion with him.

    The poll also shows 14% of union households approved of Specter’s opposition to EFCA, and 27% disapprove.

    WHYY is your source for fact-based, in-depth journalism and information. As a nonprofit organization, we rely on financial support from readers like you. Please give today.

    Want a digest of WHYY’s programs, events & stories? Sign up for our weekly newsletter.

    Together we can reach 100% of WHYY’s fiscal year goal