By JIM ABRAMS, Associated Press Writer 42 minutes ago
Democrats rewarded organized labor Thursday for helping them retake control of Congress, passing a House bill that would make it easier for workers to start unions against companies' wishes.
The legislation, passed 241-185 on a nearly party-line vote, would take away the right of employers to demand secret-ballot elections by workers before unions could be recognized.
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Labor groups saw the Employee Free Choice Act as one way of halting the downward trend of union membership, now about 12 percent of the work force.
The celebrations may be short-lived. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell (news, bio, voting record), R-Ky., has pledged to block the bill and the White House says President Bush will veto the measure if it reaches his desk.
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http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20070302/ap_on_go_co/house_unions;_ylt=Ah6k061hShmSM9i89H0ShcSyFz4D