Six Democratic senators have decided to take the controversial "card-check" provision out of the Employee Free Choice Act, according to a report in The New York Times.

The provision, which the senators dumped in order to secure a filibuster-proof 60 votes, would have forced companies to recognize unions as long as a majority of their workers signed cards in favor of organization. Unions currently must hold secret-ballot elections, the method favored by employers.

Both sides say the other's preferred election method fosters bullying by their opponents on the voters.

In place of the card-check provision, the revised bill would mandate shorter unionization campaigns and quicker elections, the report said. Specifically, elections would have to be held within 10 days after 30 percent of workers signed cards in favor of union representation. Union campaigns typically run for two months.

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) is leading a group of six Democratic senators who have worked to change the bill. The others are Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Thomas R. Carper (D-Del.), Mark Pryor (D-Ark.), Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and Arlen Specter (D-Penn.)

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