Legislation Labor lost?

With less than 8 percent of the nation's private industry labor force unionized, organized labor's position has rarely been as precarious as it is today. Though President Bush is almost certain to veto it, a new bill before Congress offers a chance at a reversal of fortunes for unions after decades of waning influence on American life. The Employee Free Choice Act aims to make it easier to organize low-skill laborers, who in recent years have endured a barrage of management strategies, including efforts to "protect their rights" by requiring secret ballots on unionizing efforts, that have the practical effect of delaying a vote long enough for management to ID and drive out the union supporters among them. The outcome of the current legislative battle could set the tone for the union movement in the infant century: happy days are here again or another few decades of Reagan-ish corporate impunity? Only a handful of Republican legislators who may tip the balance to Congressional Democrats know for sure.