It's pretty clear now that some type of compromise version of the bill will be considered in the Senate.  At this point, no one expects the bill in its current form to reach President Obama's desk.

What's a compromise look like?  No one knows for sure, but here's what we're hearing:

• The secret ballot requirement is likely to be retained, but some proponents are proposing an expedited election format.  Among the ideas is one to require an election be held with in 10 days of the filing of signed authorization cards from a majority of employees.

• Another proposal, called "postcard check," would allow employees to mail their authorization cards directly to the National Labor Relations Board thereby eliminating the potential for intimidation by either management or labor.

• Some proposals center around giving organizers more access to the workplace. One proposal would require employers to give unions equal opportunity to make announcements, display signs and distribute literature in the workplace.

So far, none of these proposals has gained much traction, and the Senate still has not announced any timeframe for when EFCA will be considered.

And as the year moves on, some members of Congress will begin thinking about the 2010 elections, and labor will be looking at who does and does not support EFCA. For those lawmakers looking to vote for a pro-labor bill, some type of compromise will be attractive.

SAF supports an employee's right to a secret ballot election and opposes EFCA because of government mandated binding arbitration that would increase costs and straightjacket employers with wage levels and working conditions that will make them uncompetitive.

For more information see this op ed from Rep. Buck McKeon (R-25-Calif.).

It feels like just yesterday we were wrapping up SAF's Congressional Action Days in March and now we are packing up to head west. The 125th Annual SAF Convention is just about three weeks away and what an exciting time this is not only for the SAF staff, but for our members who will be joining us out in Phoenix.

You can qualify me as a "first timer" because this will be my first convention I have attended. I'm looking forward to meeting numerous floral industry members as well as getting to talk about some of the grassroots lobbying our members in done in the past couple of weeks. Hosting an event at your business or meeting your congressman in your community establishes a connection that we here in Washington DC can't compare with.

Registration for the SAF Convention is still open but it is getting filled up quickly, and I'm still gathering players for the SAFPAC golf tournament. Join other floral industry members for 18 holes on a great course while aiding SAF's legislative efforts at the same time. Check our the golf tournament page for more information.

See you all in Phoenix!