The U.S. House of Representatives on June 9 voted 230-193 to pass legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber (R-MN) that would amend the National Labor Relations Act to require workers who have voted to form a union to begin negotiating with the new union within 10 days.
“As a former police officer who organized my union, I’ve seen firsthand how frustrating this process can be for workers seeking a fair and timely contract,” Rep. Stauber said. “America’s workers are the backbone of our economy, yet too often employers delay negotiations or refuse to engage in good-faith bargaining when it comes to a first union contract.”
The congressman is the lead original cosponsor of the bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act, H.R. 5408, which is sponsored by U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and currently has 109 other cosponsors.
“The Faster Labor Contracts Act will ensure employers come to the table quickly,” said Rep. Stauber, “and I look forward to seeing this legislation have a positive impact on countless union workers and their families across the Northland.”
Under H.R. 5408, if no agreement is reached after 90 days, a government mediator would step in to assist. If mediation fails 30 days after that, the dispute would be referred to a binding three-person arbitration panel made up of one representative chosen by the workers, one representative chosen by the employers, and a neutral third member.
The bill, which has advanced to the U.S. Senate, has numerous supporters, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters; the Amalgamated Transit Union; the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, the International Association of Bridge, Structural, Ornamental and Reinforcing Iron Workers; the International Association of Fire Fighters; the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers; and the International Union, United Automobile, Aerospace and Agricultural Implement Workers of America, among many others.