
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: WEDNESDAY, July 13, 1994                   TAG: 9408050018
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: C8   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: WASHINGTON                                 LENGTH: Short

STRIKER BILL FAILS IN VOTES

With help from a few Democrats, Republicans blocked action Tuesday on legislation that would keep employers from permanently replacing striking workers.

A roll call that would have freed the Workplace Fairness Act for final action fell seven votes short of the 60 needed to end a filibuster, in which opponents use stalling tactics to block passage of legislation.

A second vote scheduled for today appeared doomed, although proponents worked behind the scenes to make changes that could sway additional votes.

Sen. Howard Metzenbaum, D-Ohio, the prime sponsor of the so-called striker replacement bill, said he offered to make the proposal more to GOP liking but got nowhere.

Senate Republican leader Bob Dole said his party wouldn't change its position. When the GOP stands solidly against a bill, the majority is helpless because Democrats only have 56 senators.

Three Republicans voted with proponents of the bill, but six Democrats sided with those voting to block it, leading to the 53-47 outcome.

Asked if there was anything Democrats could do to the bill to satisfy the Republicans, Dole responded, ``Withdraw it.''

Business groups applauded the vote.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce said it was a ``major blow to organized labor'' and said a second vote would be ``meaningless because business regards this as a no-compromise issue.''

The AFL-CIO, which had the bill at the top of its legislative agenda, was waiting until after today's vote to comment.

by CNB