WASHINGTON — Today, U.S. Senator Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) led a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing new, Teamsters-endorsed legislation to speed up first contracts for new unions. The legislation would ensure that when workers vote to unionize, a labor agreement ultimately becomes a reality. Senators Cory Booker (D-N.J.), Gary Peters (D-Mich.), Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio), and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) joined as original cosponsors.
After workers vote to form a union, they don’t immediately reap the benefits of collective bargaining. Instead, they first need to obtain an initial agreement with management. But current law stacks the deck in favor of anti-union employers. 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. On average, it takes well over a year to get an agreement.
“The status quo hurts workers. Despite exercising their legal—and moral—right to bargain collectively, workers are often prevented from enjoying the benefits of the union they voted to form when mega-corporations drag their feet, slow-walk contract negotiations, and try to erode support for the union,” said Senator Hawley. “It’s wrong. We need real labor reform that puts workers first. I’m proud to introduce bipartisan and Teamsters-endorsed legislation that does just that.”
“Greedy corporations will stop at nothing to keep workers from getting a fair first contract. Their playbook is simple: stall, delay, and drag out negotiations to deny workers from securing the wages and conditions they deserve. 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,” said Teamsters General President Sean M. O’Brien.
“Americans deserve fair wages, safe workplaces, and good benefits in exchange for their hard work—and forming a union helps workers fight for fairness in their workplace,” dijo el senador Booker. “Workers who vote to join a union have the right to form that union quickly, instead of facing years of delays from big corporations. This bipartisan bill would ensure that workers are able to have their voices heard and more quickly enjoy the benefits of forming a union instead of facing uncertainty and prolonged stalling tactics.”
“When employees stand together to organize their workplace, they deserve to get to the bargaining table as soon as possible,” said Senator Peters. “This bipartisan bill is a step in the right direction. It would help crack down on union busting tactics so our workers can fight for the wages and benefits they deserve, without interference and attempts to delay the process.”
“When unions thrive, working families thrive. Our bipartisan effort is an important step forward to support hardworking Americans by making it easier to form a union, leading to better wages and benefits for all workers. Senator Hawley and I will do all we can to advance this common-sense reform to benefit workers nationwide,” dijo el senador Merkley.
The Faster Labor Contracts Act would:
- Modificar el National Labor Relations Act to require that after workers have voted to form a union, employers must begin negotiating with the new union within 10 days.
- Provide that if no agreement is reached within 90 days, the dispute will be referred to mediation.
- Stipulate that if mediation fails within 30 days, or additional periods agreed upon by the parties, the dispute will be referred to binding arbitration to secure an initial contract.
- Commission a Government Accountability Office report on average workplace time-to-contract one year after enactment.
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