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Mediation

Bipartisan Legislation Aims to Expedite Union Contracts and Ensure Workers' Rights

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

Congressman Pete Stauber (R-MN) and Congressman Donald Norcross (D-NJ) have introduced the Faster Labor Contracts Act, a bipartisan bill aimed at ensuring that employers negotiate collective bargaining agreements with new unions in a timely manner. The legislation seeks to address the current practice of employers delaying negotiations on first contracts, which can harm workers who have exercised their right to bargain collectively.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Faster Labor Contracts Act aims to ensure that employers negotiate collective bargaining agreements with new unions within 10 days of workers voting to form a union.
  • If no agreement is reached after 90 days, a government mediator will step in to assist, and if mediation fails, the dispute will be referred to a binding 3-person arbitration panel.
  • The bill is endorsed by 25 labor unions and organizations, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Amalgamated Transit Union, and International Association of Fire Fighters.
  • According to Bloomberg Law, it currently takes an average of 458 days for unions and employers to agree on a first contract.
  • The Faster Labor Contracts Act will amend Section 8(d) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA) to require employers to act in good faith and come to the negotiating table quickly.
  • The legislation aims to protect workers across the United States and ensure that they have a real voice at the negotiating table.
  • Rep. Stauber, a former police officer, has seen firsthand how unfair and frustrating the process can be for workers, and is proud to partner with Rep. Norcross to hold employers accountable.

Statistics:

  • 458 days: average time it currently takes for unions and employers to agree on a first contract (Bloomberg Law)
  • 10 days: time limit for employers to begin negotiating with new unions after workers vote to form a union.
  • 90 days: period after which a government mediator will step in to assist if no agreement is reached.
  • 30 days: period after which a binding 3-person arbitration panel will be convened if mediation fails.
  • 25: number of labor unions and organizations endorsing the Faster Labor Contracts Act.
  • 40 years: duration of attacks on organized labor in America, leading to union membership dropping to its lowest level in American history.
  • 10%: proportion of union members who report delays in negotiations (United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2020)

Sources:

  • Bloomberg Law
  • United States Congress
  • International Brotherhood of Teamsters
  • Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU)
  • American Compass
  • Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes Division-International Brotherhood of Teamsters
  • International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees (IATSE)
  • International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers (IW)
  • International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF)
  • International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW)
  • International Organization of Masters, Mates and Pilots
  • International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers
  • International Union of Operating Engineers
  • International Union of Painters and Allied Trades (IUPAT)
  • International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America (UAW)
  • Laborers' International Union of North America (LiUNA)
  • Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (M.E.B.A.)
  • National Employment Law Project
  • Transport Workers Union (TWU)
  • Transportation Communications Union (TCU/IAM)
  • United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry of the United States and Canada (UA)
  • United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC)
  • United Food and Commercial Workers International Union (UFCW)
  • United Mine Workers of America (UMWA)
  • United Steelworkers (USW)
  • Utility Workers Union of America

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