Labor unions go after Republicans in tight races

WASHINGTON -- Some big labor unions are spending millions to attack vulnerable Republican senators who have long opposed their agenda in Congress, sometimes channeling their money into non-profits that don't bear their names, federal records show.

Citizens for Strength and Security, for example, has spent more than $1 million in recent weeks to attack North Carolina's Elizabeth Dole, who is locked in a contentious battle with Democrat Kay Hagan. Unions are among the group's major financial backers, including the 2-million member Service Employees International Union (SEIU), which contributed $220,000 in September.

Dole and other Republicans in close Senate races have been the target of negative advertising after opposing legislation that is a top priority for unions: The Employee Free Choice Act.

The union proposal would require employers to recognize a union if a majority of employees sign cards opting to organize. Under current rules, employers can demand a more costly secret-ballot election to form a union. Labor groups say workers are threatened with job losses during such elections.

"We need to make sure we elect people in the U.S. Senate and the House and up and down the ticket ... who actually stand up for working families," said Anna Burger, SEIU's secretary-treasurer.

The bill failed in the Senate last year. Democrats need nine more seats to gain a filibuster-proof 60 votes.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is opposed to the legislation. Steven Law, the chamber's top lawyer, said the plan would "dispense with basic protections" for workers and employers. The group is spending more than $30 million to help congressional candidates it views as pro-business. It is running ads to help several GOP senators who are against the plan and are in tight races, including New Hampshire's John Sununu, Oregon's Gordon Smith and Mississippi's Roger Wicker. The ads identify the chamber.

Dole spokesman Dan McLagan said the outside advertising in North Carolina is hurting the Republican but said he remains optimistic about her prospects. He called the ads "deceptive."