Ariz. lawmakers advance anti-union ballot measure

By JONATHAN J. COOPER

PHOENIX

Arizona lawmakers have given preliminary approval to an anti-union ballot measure, beating back proposed Democratic amendments and advancing a resolution designed to undercut potential federal "card check" legislation.

The House and Senate on Tuesday approved the Republican-backed measure by a voice vote, setting the stage for final passage on Wednesday before lawmakers adjourn their single-issue special session.

Gov. Jan Brewer called lawmakers back to the Capitol this week to refer the measure to the Nov. 2 ballot. If approved by lawmakers as expected Wednesday, Arizona voters would be asked to decide whether to require a secret ballot for workers voting on whether to join a labor union.

The measure would have little immediate effect. It's designed to pre-emptively undercut proposed federal legislation known by opponents as "card check." The federal bill has stalled in Congress, but businesses worry it will be revived and will smooth the path for workers to unionize.

The federal legislation, known officially as the Employee Free Choice Act, would allow a majority of workers to unionize by signing cards. Currently, employers can require a secret ballot.

Unions say workers should choose how to form a union instead of their employers. Businesses say the union proposal would allow union organizers to intimidate workers into joining.

In Arizona, Democrats unsuccessfully tried to change the GOP-backed measure. Various proposals would have allowed employees to vote by secret ballot for their company's management or permitted employees to have another worker present when meeting with bosses.

"Let's call this what it really is: 'The Arizona Anti-Worker Amendment,'" Rep. Daniel Patterson, D-Tucson, said of his proposal to rename the ballot measure.

Democrats contend the special session is a waste of time and money that would be better spent on other issues, such as improving prison security after three violent offenders escaped from a northern Arizona private prison.

In the Senate, Democrats introduced a bill to deny per diem payments to lawmakers - a move that would save $12,225 if approved by lawmakers and signed by Brewer. No committee hearing has been scheduled for the Democratic proposal, and it's not likely to be heard before the special session adjourns.

Rep. John Kavanagh, R-Fountain Hills, called the Democratic statements "political spin" and said Democrats could have allowed the special session to end in one day instead of three by cooperating with Republicans.

"It's total hypocrisy," Kavanagh said.