Taking a break from trying to save his embattled bike race, Lt. Gov. Peter Kinder will tour the state in favor of an initiative that would preserve the current process of forming worker unions.

For the moment, the only way employees can form a union — without a potential employer override — is through voting with a secret ballot. However, a bill pending in Congress, the Employee Free Choice Act, would strengthen the “card check” option — allowing workers to organize if the majority signs up for the union.

President Barack Obama has indicated support for the act.

Enter former State Sen. John Loudon, a Republican from Chesterfield, who is leading a “Save Our Secret Ballot” initiative. If placed on the ballot and approved by voters, the proposal “would amend the Missouri Bill of Rights to solidify the right to vote by secret ballot.”

Kinder will begin barnstorming for the effort today in Sunset Hills, where he’ll be meeting with citizens and business owners, according to a release from Loudon’s group. Later in the summer, Kinder has stops planned in Springfield, Joplin, Cape Girardeau and Kansas City.

Supporters of the measure have nine more months to gather the 150,000 signatures for ballot placement in 2010.