A new bipartisan bill, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, aims to expedite the process of labor negotiations by imposing strict deadlines once workers vote to form a union. The proposed legislation seeks to amend the National Labor Relations Act to push both labor and employer representatives to come to an agreement on collective bargaining contracts more quickly.

Introduced on March 4 by Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), the bill mandates that parties must begin negotiations within 10 days of a union vote. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, the matter would be referred to mediation. If mediation fails to resolve the issue in an additional 30 days, binding arbitration would be used to settle the terms of the contract.

Employer groups have voiced opposition to the Faster Labor Contracts Act, particularly criticizing the proposal’s deadlines and the role of binding arbitration. Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) argued that the bill would “impose unrealistic, arbitrary deadlines” and raised concerns about the power of binding arbitration.
According to a release from Senator Hawley's office, current labor laws tend to favor employers who are reluctant to negotiate with unions, contributing to lengthy delays in securing labor contracts.

“While existing labor law requires workers and employers to bargain in good faith, the law currently doesn’t impose a negotiation deadline. Over the last few years, it’s taken longer and longer for new unions to secure first contracts,” the release stated.

Research backs up these claims. A 2021 study from the Economic Policy Institute revealed that many unions often wait for years to finalize their contracts after successfully voting to unionize.

ABC’s Response

‍ABC’s CEO, Michael Bellaman, strongly criticized the Faster Labor Contracts Act, particularly its inclusion of binding arbitration. Bellaman argued that this third-party intervention would undermine the negotiation process.

“It may happen that in good faith negotiations, an agreement might not be possible, and therefore, the government should not insert itself in the negotiations,” Bellaman stated in a news release. “Giving bureaucrats the authority to force two parties to come to agreement is egregious and has never before been done in the private sector. The parties, not the government, should determine the terms and conditions of employment.”

Support for the Bill

‍In contrast, The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has expressed strong support for the bill. General President Sean O’Brien argued that the current system is skewed in favor of employers who often delay negotiations.

“Their playbook is simple: stall, delay and drag out negotiations to deny workers from securing the wages and conditions they deserve,” O’Brien said in a statement. “Teamsters are proud to support the Faster Labor Contracts Act — real labor law reform that forces employers to bargain in good faith and holds them accountable when they don’t.”

Bipartisan Support

‍The bill, which has garnered bipartisan support, is co-sponsored by Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.).

The introduction of this bill comes as union members and advocates have increasingly voiced frustrations with long delays in negotiating first contracts. The proposed changes aim to give unions a stronger foothold in these discussions, ensuring faster results and reducing the chances of prolonged disputes between workers and employers.

In recent years, numerous industries have seen slow-moving unionization efforts, with some workers waiting extended periods before securing their first contract. While proponents argue that the legislation would level the playing field, critics contend that it could lead to government overreach in the private sector. As this debate unfolds, the broader question of how to balance the needs of workers with the interests of employers remains at the forefront of national discussions on labor law reform.

Originally reported by Zachary Phillips in Construction Dive.