Faster Labor Contracts Act

Summary#

This bill, called the Faster Labor Contracts Act, changes the National Labor Relations Act to shorten the time it takes to reach a first collective bargaining agreement after a union is certified or recognized. Key steps in the bill:

  • The newly certified or recognized union must send a written bargaining request and the parties must meet and begin bargaining no later than 10 days after that request (unless they agree to a different timeline).
  • If the parties have not reached an agreement after 90 days from the start of bargaining (or a longer period the parties agree to), either side can ask the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS) for mediation.
  • FMCS must try to mediate and, if mediation does not produce an agreement within 30 days of the request (or a longer agreed period), the dispute is sent to a three-person arbitration panel. Each side picks one member and the two pick a neutral; FMCS appoints any panelists not chosen within 14 days.
  • The arbitration panel’s decision is binding on the parties for two years, unless both sides agree to change it sooner. The panel must base its decision on five listed factors, including employer finances, employer size and type, employee cost of living, employees’ ability to support themselves and their families, and wages and benefits in the same business.
  • The bill adds language to preserve current wages, hours, and terms pending agreement and clarifies that an employer’s duty to bargain continues unless the union is decertified after an election.
  • The Comptroller General must report to Congress within one year after enactment on the average number of days between certification/recognition and the initial contract following this Act.

What it means for you#

  • If you work at a workplace that votes for union representation, your employer and the union must start bargaining quickly (within 10 days of a written request) and try to finish a contract soon.
  • If bargaining fails within set time limits, the FMCS can mediate and can refer the dispute to a binding arbitration panel that makes a contract decision for two years.
  • If you are an employer, you must meet the faster timelines and take part in mediation and, if required, binding arbitration under the rules in the bill.
  • If you are a union representative, the bill gives a clear timeline and a path to binding arbitration to reach a first contract.

Expenses#

No publicly available information on the bill’s costs or budget effects. The bill requires a Comptroller General report within one year, but it does not include cost estimates or appropriations in the text provided.

Proponents' View#

Supporters say workers have a right to organize and that, after a successful union vote, it often takes a long time to reach a first contract. The bill’s findings cite research saying the average delay was 465 days in one study and state that long delays can favor employers who oppose union representation. Proponents say the bill’s deadlines, mediation step, and binding arbitration option will help employees secure a first contract more quickly.

Opponents' View#

No publicly available information in the bill text about opposing views or specific objections to the bill.