A bill that would impose strict timelines and mandatory binding arbitration on first union contract negotiations passed the US House yesterday, marking a pivotal step in what could end up being a sea change in the country’s established labor dynamic. The Faster Labor Contracts Act (FLCA) passed the House by a 230-193 vote on Tuesday, with 20 Republican House members joining 210 Democrats in approving the bill. If it passes the Senate and is signed by the President, it would represent the most sweeping change to the nation’s labor laws in nearly a century. What do you need to know about the bill, its chances of becoming law, and what you should do while we await the final outcome?
Current Framework
The National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) currently imposes no timeline for reaching a first contract, allowing both parties to take the time to hammer out a fair deal. But opponents of the status quo point to data showing workers are forced to wait an average of over 450 days before obtaining a first union contract.
What the Faster Labor Contracts Act Would Do
It is hard to understate the potential impact of this legislation. It would amend the NLRA for the first time in over 50 years by imposing a compressed, federally mandated timeline on first-contract negotiations in the private sector. Under this framework, following union certification:
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