Politics / labor unions Dems Gird for Fight Over Pro-Labor Bill 'Card check' legislation faces stiff business opposition, Senate fight By Matt Cantor, Newser Staff Posted Feb 5, 2009 10:41 AM CST Copied Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Mass., right, talks with Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., on Capitol Hill in Washington, Friday, Sept. 7, 2007. Both have sponsored versions of the Employee Free Choice Act. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh) House Democrats are about to unveil a bill easing the unionization process, a measure that’s already sparked major backlash, the Hill reports. The Employee Free Choice Act, which President Obama has said he'll sign, would allow workers to skip secret ballot elections to create unions, instead openly signing cards. But businesses are advertising against the bill, and the Chamber of Commerce has spent some $10 million fighting it. Businesses say the measure could let labor bosses push unwilling workers into unions and could spur more strikes. But advocates say the bill would protect workers from employer intimidation and would boost the economy by helping raise wages. The bill is likely to pass the House but faces an uphill battle in the Senate, where it has failed before with 51 votes; 60 votes are needed to beat a filibuster. (More labor unions stories.) Report an error