Senators Drop Card-Check Provision

    July 20, 2009
    WASHINGTON—Senators have agreed to drop the controversial card-check provision in the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA).

    The New York Times first reported the development and characterized the move as an attempt to secure a filibuster-proof 60 votes.

    Card check would have required employers to recognize a union as soon as a majority of workers signed cards. Currently, employers can require a secret-ballot election. Under expected revisions, union elections would have to be held within five or 10 days after 30% of workers signed cards favoring having a union. Currently, the campaigns often run two months.

    Senate leaders told reporters that a vote on this issue likely won’t happen until September.

    For more information about EFCA and how it affects material handling professionals, see MHM’s November 2008 report, “Elections Have Consequences.”