This bill, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, aims to speed up the process of reaching a first collective bargaining agreement after a union or other representative is certified or recognized under the National Labor Relations Act. It changes Section 8(d) to require parties to meet within 10 days after a newly recognized or certified representative requests bargaining. The parties must try to reach an agreement. If they have not reached one after a 90-day bargaining period (or a longer period the parties agree to), either side can ask the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) to mediate. If FMCS cannot get an agreement within 30 days (or a longer agreed period), FMCS must send the dispute to a three-person arbitration panel. Each side picks one panel member and the third is a neutral agreed on by both sides; FMCS will appoint any member a side does not pick. A majority of the panel issues a binding decision that lasts 2 years unless changed in writing. The panel must base its decision on five specific factors, including the employer's finances, the size and type of the business, and employees' cost of living and ability to support themselves. The bill also directs the Comptroller General to report to Congress within one year on the average number of days between certification/recognition and the first contract following enactment.
No publicly available information.
Supporters say delays between recognition and a first contract are long and growing. The bill's findings state that long delays can weaken the union's bargaining position and that faster contracts help employees enjoy the benefits of collective bargaining. The bill is intended to make the bargaining process quicker and to give newly represented employees a faster path to agreed wages and working conditions.
No publicly available information.