Update: Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) are set to reintroduce the Richard L. Trumka Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act. This legislation contains numerous provisions aimed at significantly reshaping labor law, shifting the balance of power substantially in favor of unions at the expense of workers, employers, and the broader economy. The bill’s latest version mirrors previous iterations and is expected to again encounter strong resistance from the business community.
In a bipartisan move, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Faster Labor Contracts Act on March 4. This legislation is a key part of Senator Hawley’s broader framework to reshape U.S. labor law, which we wrote about recently.
The bill’s most striking provision? It would require employers and unions to start negotiating collective bargaining agreements within just 10 days after a union wins a representation election. Even more aggressively, it sets a firm deadline to finalize these agreements within months. If either party fails to meet this timeline, the consequences could be significant: mandatory arbitration, where government-appointed arbitrators would have the authority to set the terms and conditions of the first contract.
The introduction of this bill has already ignited heated reactions across the labor landscape. Proponents argue it would streamline negotiations and prevent employers from dragging their feet. Critics see it as a severe overreach that could strip employers of their ability to negotiate terms in good faith, effectively outsourcing critical business decisions to unelected arbitrators.
The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) has released a statement on the bill—read it here.
What’s Next?
The bill’s path through Congress is uncertain, but the introduction alone suggests that changes to labor law could be on the fast track. Employers should keep a close eye on this legislation, as its passage could dramatically reshape the collective bargaining landscape.
