Last week, I wrote about how labor and business organizations are using PR to communicate their positions on the Employee Free Choice Act, or "card check."

Today, The Washington Post has a story about how Whole Foods, Starbucks, and Costco are proposing a third solution to the debate. By proposing a compromise, the companies are able to "to project a progressive image," says the newspaper.

According to the Post, the companies are opposed to two of the bill's provisions - in short, allowing workers to form a union without having a secret-ballot election and imposing binding arbitration when a contract is not reached after 120 days.

But, these three companies would keep the third provision that toughens penalties for companies that retaliate against workers.