Republican opposes US labor bill, may doom measure

WASHINGTON, March 24 (Reuters) - A key U.S. Senate Republican on Tuesday announced his opposition to a bill to make it easier for employees to unionize, which could help his party block it with a procedural hurdle.

Arlen Specter of Pennsylvania announced his decision in a speech in the Democratic-led Senate and suggested lawmakers now seek to instead amend existing law to make union elections fairer.

The bill opposed by Specter would let workers decide whether to unionize by signing a petition or through a secret-ballot election. Employers can now require a secret ballot. (Reporting by Thomas Ferraro)