Biden supports bill to make unionizing easier
By KELLI KENNEDY – 6 hours ago
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. (AP) — Vice President Joe Biden pressed the White House's agenda for a new labor bill Thursday before the nation's largest union.
The AFL-CIO "brought me to the dance a long time ago. And it's time we start dancing, man," he told the group, one of his biggest supporters during the election.
Biden spoke warmly during the nearly hourlong speech in Miami Beach, addressing many members by name and offering support for the Employee Free Choice Act, which would give workers the option of unionizing by signing cards or petitions instead of holding secret ballot elections.
On Tuesday, President Barack Obama offered some of his most supportive comments for the Act since he took office, telling AFL-CIO members in a videotaped message that he will work to pass the bill.
Biden's speech was the latest signal of the new administration's pro-union tilt, including the appointment of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, the daughter of union members. She was also in Miami this week drumming up support for the bill.
Before the inauguration, AFL-CIO President John Sweeney said he'd been to the White House only once in the past eight years. Now he visits at least once a week.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/ap/article/ALeqM5jJtYl5TnPrfZkF57EVjBR3F6SQCQD96O5UEG0Pleased to here this, labor needs as much support as it can get.
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