Pa.’s Sen. Specter receives cheers, catcalls, as he defends voting record at labor rally

Specter draws cheers, hecklers, at Pa. labor rally

PITTSBURGH — Sen. Arlen Specter is getting a mixed reception from organized labor as he mingles with Pennsylvania Democratic Party leaders in Pittsburgh.

Specter drew both cheers and scattered catcalls Saturday when he addressed a labor rally outside the hotel where he plans to speak before the Democratic State Committee later in the day.

The rally focused on a key labor bill that would make it easier for workers to unionize. Specter publicly opposed the measure before switching to the Democratic Party in April. He told the crowd that he is committed to find a compromise union members can support.

Pennsylvania AFL-CIO President Bill George introduced Specter. He reminded the protesters that the fifth-term senator has been on their side over the years on many issues important to labor.