Kinder backing initiative about union elections

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missouri Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder is backing a proposed constitutional amendment requiring secret balloting for union elections.

The Republican lieutenant governor was set to join business owners Tuesday in St. Louis to promote the proposed 2010 ballot initiative. Kinder plans similar events in Springfield, Joplin, Cape Girardeau and Kansas City over the next month.

The group Save Our Secret Ballot is gathering signatures to put the measure before Missouri voters next year.

The proposal is a backlash against union-supported legislation in Congress dubbed the Employee Free Choice Act.

That bill would require companies to recognize unions after more than 50 percent of the eligible work force has signed union cards. Currently, companies can require that secret-ballot elections be held.