Union organizing, pensions and health care cost shifting by corporations are the subjects of new bills introduced in the U.S. Congress.

On April 19, a bipartisan group of senators and representatives reintroduced the Employee Free Choice Act (S. 842 and H.R. 1696).

The bill would require employers to recognize a union after a majority of workers sign cards authorizing union representation. The bill also would provide for mediation and arbitration of first contract disputes and authorize stronger penalties for violation of labor laws by employers during organizing campaigns.

Supporters of the bill include senators Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.) and Arlen Specter (R-Pa.) and representatives George Miller (D-Calif.), Peter King (R-N.Y.), and Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.).

Following a bankruptcy court's decision to allow United Airlines to bail out of its pension plan, Kennedy, Miller, and representatives Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) and Pete Stark (D-Calif.) introduced the Pension Fairness and Full Disclosure Act.

The bill would require companies that want to end their pension obligations to fully disclose executive compensation plans. The bill would link management benefits to those of workers.

At United, the company pleaded in bankruptcy court to drop $9.8 billion in pension liabilities. Meanwhile, three months before the company declared bankruptcy, a $4.8 million trust was set up to benefit the company's chief executive officer.

Kennedy said pension cuts and company bankruptcies have made the retirement system a "nightmare" for millions of American families, while executive compensation goes "through the roof."

Miller said: "How many companies have to fail? How many companies have to abandon their pension plans? How many companies have to downsize their pension benefits before President Bush and Congress pay attention? Despite Enron scandals and pension collapses in key industries, there's been no action to really protect employee pensions."

"Today," Miller said, "Democrats are offering an important and overdue reform: stop rewarding corporate executives with lavish retirement golden parachutes while slashing the retirement benefits of employees."

In June, Democrats unveiled the Health Care Accountability Act that would require states to disclose which employers have a high number of employees on public health care assistance, such as Medicaid.

The proposed act targets companies such as Wal-Mart that shift their employee health care costs onto taxpayers. Employees at such companies are forced to apply for public assistance because of low wages, part-time job classifications, and high premiums for health care plans.

The bill was introduced by Kennedy, Sen. John Corzine (D-N.J.), and Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-N.Y.).

At a press conference, Kennedy said that Medicaid and other public health programs "should not also have to underwrite the profits for large companies like Wal-Mart. There's plenty for the executive suite, but it's time for a fair share for employees' pay and benefits, too."

The AFL-CIO reported that some 30 states have introduced or plan to introduce similar legislation.

Maryland's Republican Gov. Robert Ehrlich recently vetoed a bill that would tax companies that do not spend a certain amount on health benefits.