Business supporters of the Employee Free Choice Act have formed a new coalition, Business Leaders for a Fair Economy, leaders of the group announced Thursday.

More than 1,000 business people have endorsed the “card check— bill as part of the coalition’s efforts to pressure Congress to pass the legislation.

The group sent a letter to Capitol Hill and also ran a full-page ad Thursday in newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal and The Hill.

“We believe the Employee Free Choice Act is sound public policy,— said coalition Chairman Roger Smith, president and CEO of American Income Life Insurance Co. and National Income Life Insurance Co.

“As a CEO, I challenge other responsible business leaders to support this landmark legislation,— he said in a statement.