Card-Check Provision Dropped from Union Bill

The New York Times is reporting that Democrats have agreed to drop a provision in legislation that would have made it easier for employees to form unions.
Democrats appear to be ready to drop the card-check provision from the Employee Free Choice Act, the newspaper reports. The provision would have required certification of a union if a majority of employees have signed authorizations designating the union as their bargaining representative--a process known as card check.
Under current law, the National Labor Relations Board oversees an election process for unions that uses secret ballots. Card check is allowed, but employers have to agree to it first.
The revised legislation would make union elections happen quicker, which unions favor because it would give employers less time to campaign against unionization, the newspaper notes. Other option being considered are a requirement for employers to allow unions to have access to their property, the newspaper notes.
The card-check provision was the most controversial element of the union legislation and was strongly opposed by business groups. While Democrats have a super-majority in the Senate, several Democrats had voiced opposition to the card-check provision, which would have meant supporters of the card-check provision lacked the votes to end a filibuster.