Union Auto Workers Job Protection Act

Bill Number: H.R. 5338
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Government Operations and Politics
Status: Introduced
Latest Action: 2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
Last Updated: 2026-06-11T05:06:20Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose of the Legislation

The "Union Auto Workers Job Protection Act" (H.R. 5338) aims to increase transparency in federal procurement of motor vehicles by requiring detailed information about assembly plants, labor conditions, and union-related policies. It seeks to protect jobs and promote fair labor practices in the auto industry, particularly for union workers, while imposing specific requirements on contracts like the U.S. Postal Service's vehicle purchases.

Key Provisions

Bid Requirements (Section 2(a)):
For any bid on a "covered contract" (a federal agreement for assembling motor vehicles, defined as self-propelled vehicles like cars or trucks under U.S. law), executive agencies must require bidders to provide:
Mailing addresses of all plants where vehicles will be made or assembled.
Descriptions of what is produced in each plant if multiple are involved.
Wage details for hourly employees at each plant: average, minimum, and maximum hourly rates.
Number of temporary (non-permanent) employees at each plant.
Disclosures of any violations of the National Labor Relations Act (federal law protecting workers' rights to organize and bargain collectively) or Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) rules (federal standards for workplace safety) at each plant.

Contract Requirements (Section 2(b)):
Covered contracts must include plant location details from the bid.
If a contractor wants to switch plants during the contract, they must get written permission from the agency, providing the same wage, employee, and violation details for the new plant.
On the day permission is requested, the contractor must notify any affected "labor organization" (union, as defined under federal labor law).
Contractors must adopt a "policy of neutrality" on labor organizing, meaning they agree not to interfere with employees' decisions to form or join a union at covered plants.

Definitions (Section 2(c)):
Applies to "executive agencies" (major federal departments and the U.S. Postal Service).
"Motor vehicle assembly employer" refers to companies employing workers to assemble vehicles at dedicated plants.

Prohibition on Federal Spending (Section 3):
Bans using federal funds (including Postal Service funds) for delivery vehicle purchases until the Postal Service amends its contract with Oshkosh Defense (a specific manufacturer).
The amendment must require Oshkosh to:
Treat compliance with a "bona fide union neutrality agreement" (a genuine pact ensuring no anti-union actions) as essential to government payments, linking it to the False Claims Act (a law penalizing false statements in federal contracts).
Certify it will follow such an agreement for all production employees under the contract.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

Introduces mandatory disclosures of plant locations, wages, temporary worker counts, and labor/safety violations in federal vehicle procurement bids and contracts—requirements not previously standardized.
Adds oversight for plant changes during contracts, including union notifications and agency approvals, which expands federal control over contractor operations.
Targets the Postal Service's existing Oshkosh contract with a specific union neutrality mandate tied to funding, potentially altering ongoing agreements without prior precedent in this form.
No direct amendments to broader laws like the Federal Acquisition Regulation, but it layers new labor-focused conditions onto procurement processes.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Increases administrative workload for executive agencies (e.g., reviewing detailed labor data in bids) and the Postal Service (requiring contract changes with Oshkosh, potentially delaying vehicle purchases if not met).
On Citizens and Workers: Could lead to higher labor standards in federally procured vehicles, benefiting auto workers through better wages, job security, and union protections; indirect effects on taxpayers via potential cost increases from compliance.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, though it may discourage foreign assembly plants without strong U.S. labor compliance, favoring domestic production.
Overall, promotes accountability in federal spending on vehicles, estimated at billions annually, but could raise procurement costs or slow processes.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Executive Agencies and U.S. Postal Service: Responsible for enforcing requirements and potentially renegotiating contracts.
Motor Vehicle Assembly Employers (e.g., Oshkosh Defense and other auto manufacturers bidding on federal contracts): Must disclose sensitive labor data and adopt union-neutral policies, facing penalties for non-compliance.
Labor Organizations (Unions): Gain notification rights and protections against interference, empowering groups like the United Auto Workers.
Hourly Employees in Auto Plants: Benefit from transparency on wages, temporary hires, and violations, potentially improving working conditions.
Federal Taxpayers: Affected through procurement costs and funding restrictions on vehicle purchases.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal: Ties union neutrality to False Claims Act liability, allowing penalties for non-compliance (e.g., fines or contract termination); requires disclosures that could expose companies to lawsuits under labor or safety laws. Definitions align with existing statutes (e.g., National Labor Relations Act, OSHA), avoiding conflicts.
Constitutional: The neutrality policy may raise free speech concerns under the First Amendment (protecting employer expression), as it limits anti-union activities, but courts have upheld similar provisions in government contracts as conditions of funding. No apparent due process issues.
Political: Supports pro-union priorities by prioritizing labor protections in federal spending, potentially influencing auto industry lobbying and elections in manufacturing states; could face challenges from business groups arguing it burdens commerce.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11]

Cosponsors (8)

Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28]

Recent Actions

2025-09-11: Referred to the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.
2025-09-11: Introduced in House
2025-09-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Union Auto Workers Job Protection Act — issued 2025-09-11 — PDF (5 pages)