The Nation - News from Feb. 17, 1986

Despite major defeats on automatic cuts in federal spending and a bill to make companies notify workers before closing plants, congressional support for labor-backed legislation is increasing, the nation’s top labor leader said in Bal Harbor, Fla. Republicans and Democrats in the Senate voted with labor 5% more last year than in 1984 and support for union positions increased 6% among House Democrats, said AFL-CIO President Lane Kirkland. Only among the 182 House Republicans did overall support for the 13-million-member federation’s legislative agenda decline, from 22% in 1984 to 21% in 1985.