Faster Labor Contracts Act

Faster Labor Contracts Act
S.844, sponsored by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-MO)

The Faster Labor Contracts Act is the first bill in Sen. Josh Hawley’s labor framework. It would force union contracts on workers and employers—even allowing government bureaucrats with expanded authority to make these important employment decisions for workers in some instances. It would require negotiation on a contract to begin within days of the favorable union vote and provides that, if an agreement is not reached within mere months, the federal government will step in to engage in mediation and, eventually, binding arbitration.

Within 10 days of receiving a request to collectively bargain with a newly-recognized union, the parties must being bargaining collectively. If the employer and union do not reach an agreement on a first contract within 90 days of the beginning of bargaining—regardless of whether they are negotiating in good faith, and for any reason at all—federal government bureaucrats will intervene to require mediation. This would be an expansion of federal government authority into the private sector and likely necessitate a large increase in employees at the government’s Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).

If mediation is also unsuccessful within mere weeks, a three-person arbitration panel chosen by the parties will be required to settle the dispute by a majority vote and the decision will be binding. If the parties fail to identify individuals to join the arbitration panel within two weeks, arbitrators chosen by federal government bureaucrats will impose a collective bargaining agreement on the workers, employer, and union.

The Faster Labor Contracts Act doesn’t “support” initial union contracts, rather it could force one-size-fits-all contracts on workers by unelected government bureaucrats. Government-imposed agreements are anything but pro-American worker.

Additional Resources

 

Opinions

The Hill: Even union officials don’t support this union demand, by F. Vincent Vernuccio

Washington Examiner: Republicans must not help Democrats gut workplace democracy, by F. Vincent Vernuccio

Wall Street Journal: US Labor Law Needs a 21st Century Update, by Rachel Greszler

Washington Examiner: Faster Labor Contracts Act would silence workers’ voices and empower bureaucrats, by Rachel Greszler

Wall Street Journal: Josh Hawley Chooses Unions Over Workers, by Mark Mix

Wall Street Journal: When Labor Policy Leaves Its Workers Behind, by Kristen Swearingen

Real Clear Policy: Faster Labor Contracts Act Bad for Workers and Small Businesses, by Brian Darling

The Hill: The Faster Labor Contracts Act disempowers workers, by Thomas Beck

Reason: Josh Hawley’s Pro-Union Bill Would Let Washington Write Your Contract, by C. Jarrett Dieterle

NY Post: GOP’s fatal attraction to unions is the start of a bad romance, by Ken Girardin

Washington Examiner: Congress is about to undo DOGE’s biggest win, by Jace White

The Ohio Press Network: Forced Contracts, Fewer Choices: The Risk of the FLCA, by Lisa Chaffee

Hometownsource.com: Process matters in labor law debate, by Kip Christianson

The Hayride: An Example of Big Government Overreach We Seriously Do Not Need, by Charlie Davis

Lootpress.com: The FLCA is a Bad Deal for Both Workers and Employers, by Bill Bessett

Mid Hudson News: Workers deserve a vote, by Robert Pape

Broad and Liberty: Don’t Let the FLCA Fool You, by Josephine Ferro

The Star News Network: Another Washington Overreach into the Workplace, by Tom Zawistowski

Mycountylink.com: How Organized Labor Hurts Company Performance, by Aaron Flatter

Neuse News: Faster Labor Contracts Act (FLCA) bill, by Brent Heath

 

Editorials and Articles

Washington Post: A bipartisan bill that would hurt employers and unions

Wall Street Journal: The New Big Labor GOP

Daily Wire: Republicans’ Latest Pro-Union Move Has Some Conservatives Sounding The Alarm

 

Coalition Letters

Coalition letter signed by I4AW and 28 other organizations

Coalition letter signed by 376 employer organizations

 

Papers and Resources

Club For Growth Key Vote Alert

AFP Urges Members of Congress to Oppose the Faster Labor Contracts Act and Discharge Petition

Coalition for a Democratic Workplace White Paper: The Arbitration Trap

Competitive Enterprise Institute: The Faster Labor Contracts Act Would Force Workers Into Unions They Never Voted For

National Retail Federation: The Faster Labor Contracts Act violates the principles of voluntary agreement, by Ed Egee

Americans for Tax Reform: Congress Should Reject Faster Labor Contracts Act

US Chamber of Commerce: Don’t Let Washington Take Your Job Rights Away

Associated Builders and Contractors: The Faster Labor Contracts Act Is Not a Pro-Worker Policy

Hoover Institution: What’s Wrong with the Employee Free Choice Act?, by Richard A. Epstein

Heritage Foundation: Binding Arbitration: A Bad Deal for Workers, by James Sherk