Cabin Business

Arkansas’ U.S. senators, Blanche Lincoln and Mark Pryor, have had their names mentioned in the news more in the past few weeks than perhaps in the rest of their tenures combined.

They’d probably rather not have all the attention.

The two Democrats find themselves square in the middle of a heated battle over proposed union legislation. The Employee Free Choice Act would make it easier for labor to organize by allowing workers to unionize by merely signing a card, instead of going through a secret-ballot election process. The bill would allow for the elections, too, but the “card check” aspect is the sticking point.

Democrats, supported by labor, contend the measure would increase union membership by reducing union-busting activities, threats coming from management during the election process. They also say that increased union membership would raise middle class wages.

Republicans, supported by business leaders, say the bill would allow union bosses to intimidate workers. They also say the bill would raise costs and drive jobs to other countries.

Who’s right?

Both sides, in their own ways. Historically, unions have helped workers improve their wages and benefits. However, there is little doubt that U.S. companies don’t need much incentive to pack up a factory and move it to China or Taiwan or Mexico.

That’s why Lincoln and Pryor, moderate Democrats, find themselves in a bit of a pickle.

These two senators, especially, tend to have a bit of a populist streak (which probably prompted them to support “card check” when it came up previously and a GOP veto was certain even if the measure passed), but they represent Arkansas, home to two giant corporations (Walmart and Tyson Foods) that have fought unions with a gigantic enthusiasm. And lest anyone forget, Lincoln is up for re-election next year. If she votes for the bill, her opponent will almost certainly have the vengeful backing of the aforementioned corporate titans.

Lincoln and Pryor have already backed away a bit from their support of the bill — now that a Democrat holds the White House and the party nearly has a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. They are talking about “changes” and “improvements” to the bill.

Whether there will be some compromise remains unclear. This doesn’t appear to be one of those pieces of legislation that can change enough to make it palatable enough for members of both parties to hold their noses and vote “aye.”

So, while the battle rages, expect Arkansas’ senators to maintain as low a profile as they can muster.

How to contact

U.S. Sen. Blanche Lincoln
Washington office: 355 Dirksen Senate Building, Washington, DC 20510-0404; phone, (202) 224-4843; fax, (202)228-1371

Little Rock office: 912 West Fourth Street, Little Rock, Ark. 72201; phone, (501) 375-2993 or toll free (800) 352-9364; fax, (501) 375-7064

U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor
Washington office: 255 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20510; phone, (202) 224-2353 or toll-free (877) 259-9602; fax, (202) 228-0908

Little Rock office: The River Market, 500 Clinton Ave., Suite 401, Little Rock, Ark. 72201; phone, (501) 324-6336; fax, (501) 324-5320

U.S. Rep. Vic Snyder, 2nd District
Arkansas office: 1501 North University, Suite 150, Little Rock, Ark. 72207; phone, (501)324-5941; TDD, (501) 324-5922; fax, 501-324-6029