Posts tagged federal mediator
Councilman seeks contract fix for JTRAN union workers
August 3, 2026 // JTRAN workers said they plan to return to the picket line until they reach an agreement with MV Transportation that they find satisfactory. Stokes said he plans to bring the issue before the next Jackson City Council meeting in hopes of resolving the conflict and moving forward with a new contract.
The Faster Labor Contracts Act: What You Need to Know
July 31, 2026 // While the FLCA may accelerate the negotiation process for both the employer and the union to reach an initial contract, faster does not always mean better, and the binding arbitration provision sidelines the interests of both parties and leaves the decisions about worker pay, benefits, and working conditions in the hands of arbitrators acting under the auspices of the federal government. The arbitrary timelines under the FLCA, while making the negotiation process move faster, may not give sufficient time for both parties to reach an initial contract that best represents the interests of both sides, given all the facts and circumstances of the working arrangement.
Railroad, airline labor mediator fired by Trump drops legal fight
July 20, 2026 // The Supreme Court’s blockbuster decision expanding President Trump’s firing power has reached another agency: one that works out labor disputes in the airline and railroad industries. Deirdre Hamilton, a Democratic appointee to the National Mediation Board who had been contesting her firing, has now dismissed her legal challenge. A judge on Thursday ordered the case be closed.
The Faster Labor Contracts Act disempowers workers
June 1, 2026 // The bill’s most obvious defect is its egregious misnaming. Whatever is produced by statutorily compelled arbitration cannot be correctly characterized as a contract at all. A contract results from parties negotiating, compromising, and voluntarily agreeing to terms each can accept. That process is precisely what gives contracts legitimacy and durability. The Faster Labor Contracts Act abandons that principle. Under its framework, if the parties fail to reach agreement within the prescribed period, federal arbitrators impose terms neither side may actually want. This is not a contract; it is coercive government regulation.
Commentary: Josh Hawley’s Pro-Union Bill Would Let Washington Write Your Contract
May 16, 2026 // A Hawley-backed bill, known as the Faster Labor Contracts Act (FLCA), seems to be picking up steam and may soon pass the House of Representatives. Unfortunately, the FLCA is a trifecta of bad public policy: It suffers from constitutional infirmities, revives a corrupt government agency, and takes away the voice of both businesses and workers. Earlier this Congress, Hawley introduced the FLCA in the Senate, alongside one other Republican senator and three Democratic senators; he has since picked up another Republican and 10 more Democrats. Companion legislation in the House has 99 cosponsors, 17 of which are Republican.
Lunchroom workers block Downtown street in protest as contract talks with CPS stall
April 29, 2026 // Lunchroom workers, who are among the lowest-paid full-time workers in Chicago Public Schools, want to be paid $40,000 a year. But the cash-strapped district hasn’t agreed to that minimum and is asking a federal mediator to step in.
Yakima hospital workers vote to authorize strike amid negotiations with MultiCare
January 5, 2026 // Federal law requires Teamsters Local Union 760 to provide a 10-day notice to MultiCare if a strike is to occur. MultiCare stated that the hospital will remain open and fully staffed in the event of a strike.
Union workers react to federal mediator joining talks with Boeing
September 30, 2025 // “The last offer we had from the union, they had a federal mediator and we seemed to get a worse offer,” Martin said. “If they can point Boeing in the right direction, aside from last time, it still didn’t seem to do a good thing for the union.” Union members say contracts at other Boeing plants — especially in places like Seattle — come with better pay and stronger benefits. “No one cares about this ratification bonus that they’re pushing so hard on everyone. We want better pay for all of our members. The ratification bonus is a right now solution and I think most of us are thinking about our futures,” said another Boeing worker on strike.
Union floats offer to end six-week Boeing Defense strike
September 17, 2025 // IAM proposes contract with better bonuses, retirement contributions Boeing calls proposal a 'waste of time' that will prolong strike Boeing says it plans to replace striking machinists with new hires
Butler workers march, urge Care New England CEO to settle contract
June 4, 2025 // However, no progress was made and SEIU 1199NE claimed the hospital management’s latest offer provided “lower wages, higher health care costs, less on retirement and no movement on our workplace violence committee.” According to SEIU 1199NE, Butler Hospital told the workers it would not respond until sometime this week, despite the fact that the union members’ insurance benefits expired over the weekend. Nearly 800 workers began contract conversations with Butler and CNE in March, seeking competitive wages, paid training, stronger job safety protections, and improved benefits.