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Lede: The majority sign-up requirement has reportedly been dropped from the Employee Free Choice Act, according to a report in the New York Times. Doug Cunningham has more.

Several Senate Democrats appear to have caved in to business interests in opposing the central element of the Employee Free Choice Act. The Employee Free Choice Act is labor’s number one legislative priority and it has the support of President Obama. But big business has mounted a fierce lobbying campaign against it. And rather than stand with working families, Democrats like Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas are choosing to betray labor and stand with big business. The majority sign-up provision is the most important part of the Employee Free Choice Act because it would eliminate the boss’ power to intimidate workers while they consider joining a union. It would place the power – the choice – of whether or not to join a union completely in the workers’ hands. The Times quoted anonymous labor officials as saying that people shouldn’t be despondent over this development because labor law reform can take different shapes and the bill will bring dramatic changes even if employers are not required to respect majority sign-up.