The contentious “card check” issue, which would allow unions to organize without the use of a secret ballot, is on the back burner after several key members of the U.S. Senate refused to back it.

While all Republicans now oppose the measure, a few key Democrats also backed down in recent weeks, including two from Arkansas, where the state’s largest employer, Wal-Mart, is a staunch opponent. And opposition from Pennsylvania (r.) Senator Arlen Specter, now a Democrat, also denied the measure’s backers the 60-vote filibuster-proof majority.

But unions are pressing the case and have urged Arkansas Democrat Mark Pryor and Specter to try again, this time with a bill that might omit the card-check measure.

“I see this time now as really an opportunity for compromise or for a new approach on addressing some of the issues that revolve around that issue,” Pryor said. “I’m not sure it is over yet. It may be. I’m going to talk to Senator Specter this week and see where he wants to go.”

Pryor said that he will consider an alteration to the original bill that would include holding a secret-ballot election 10 days after a majority of employees sign petition cards.

“That’s something that we have spent a lot of time talking among ourselves about, how that should work,” Pryor said. “I haven’t really come to a firm conclusion on that. I do think, just in political terms, the secret ballot is extremely important to the business community.”

Other Democrats aren’t ready to call the card-check provision dead.

“We do not think it’s dead and we’re going to keep working on it,” said Democratic Senator Charles Schumer (New York). “We will be reaching out to find various accommodations, but we still need to get the one Republican vote.”

By Casino Connection Staff