A collection of Western Pennsylvania unions endorsed Sen. Arlen Specter today at a news conference at the Uptown headquarters of the Laborers’ District Council of Western Pennsylvania.

But as he welcomed their support, Mr. Specter acknowledged that the results of the Massachusetts Senate race had dealt a body blow to one of labor’s chief legislative priorities, the Employee Free Choice Act. Mr. Specter had said earlier that he had expected the Senate to approve a compromise version of the measure, which is designed to make it easier for unions to organize new work places.

Mr. Specter said that Senate Democratic leaders and supporters of the potential compromise had made a tactical decision to consider the controversial organizing bill after passing health care reform. But the surprise election of Scott Brown has emerged as a perhaps permanent roadblock for both issues.

Tags: Arlen Specter

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