WASHINGTON – Despite previous setbacks, Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA), chief sponsor of the Senate’s “card check” bill that would ease union organizing, said that he’s optimistic the bill could come to the Senate floor this summer, Congressional Quarterly reports.

Harkin has been meeting with senators over the past few weeks to seek a compromise to current legislation — S. 560 and H.R. 1409 — that would make it easier for workers to certify and join unions. Modifications include eliminating the notion of card check from the bill itself.

Since Sen. Arlen Specter (PA) has switched political parties last month, efforts have focused on him, who has already discussed the bill with Harkin.

Specter has said that he opposes the bill’s card check provision, which would allow workers to form unions by petition, in addition to secret-ballot election — and its contract arbitration provisions.

However, Harkin said last week that Specter’s stance on the card check language appears to be softening.

“He’s willing to negotiate,” Harkin said. “Things are being done both at the staff level and at the member level.”

Compromises being discussed include establishing finite time windows during which secret-ballot elections could take place, establishing a mail-in ballot process by which the National Labor Relations Board could monitor and certify elections, and arbitration that would intercede during “last, best offer” negotiations.

Harkin said that if he reaches agreement with senators that he will take the bill directly to the floor, by-passing the committee process.

“Everybody knows what the issues are, they already know what the amendments are probably going to be,” Harkin said. “So why do it twice?”

Opponents of the bill say that it would cost jobs and that it would be burdensome on small businesses. President Obama said last week that he hopes that lawmakers will draft an agreeable compromise.

“How do we make it easier for people who want to form a union to at least get a vote and have an even playing field?” said Obama. “How do we do that, but at the same time get enough votes to pass the bill? That’s what we’re working on right now.”

NACS opposes current card check legislation.