yes, you could use a table, check using a div tag as well, and aligning that to the left. That might work, and would save some lines of code. Check whichever method you choose in both IE and Firefox, though, because IE can be REALLY screwy with css, though Im sure you know that.
Putting them both in the same block element should have the same effect, but css can be tricky sometimes. Perhaps align the left with the header class you use; also, is position relative in that context neccesary?