Faster Labor Contracts Act

Bill Number: H.R. 5408
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 2
Policy Area: Labor and Employment
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2026-06-10: Received in the Senate.
Last Updated: 2026-06-23T19:47:55Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose This legislation aims to shorten the time between a union's certification or recognition and the signing of a first collective bargaining agreement under the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). It establishes mandatory timelines and dispute resolution steps to address delays in initial contract negotiations.

Key Provisions

Requires employers and newly certified or recognized unions to begin bargaining within 10 days of a written request and to make reasonable efforts to reach an agreement.
Mandates that employers maintain existing wages, hours, and employment terms during negotiations.
If no agreement is reached after 90 days of bargaining (or an agreed extension), either party may request mediation from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
If mediation fails after 30 days (or an agreed extension), the dispute is referred to a three-person arbitration panel (one member chosen by each side and one neutral). The panel's decision is binding for two years.
Directs the Comptroller General to submit a report to Congress within one year on average time-to-contract after the law's enactment.
Clarifies that the duty to bargain continues unless a union is decertified through an election.

Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill amends Section 8(d) of the NLRA (29 U.S.C. 158) by adding specific procedures for initial contracts that do not currently exist. It introduces fixed timelines, mandatory FMCS mediation, and binding interest arbitration for first agreements—mechanisms not previously required under federal labor law. It also strengthens the obligation to maintain status quo terms during bargaining and extends the bargaining duty absent decertification.

Potential Impacts

Government agencies: Increases involvement of the FMCS in mediating and overseeing arbitration for initial contracts.
Citizens and workplaces: May lead to quicker first contracts for represented employees, potentially affecting wages, benefits, and workplace conditions sooner.
International relations: No direct effects identified in the legislation.
Employers could face new procedural requirements and the possibility of binding arbitration outcomes.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Employees seeking union representation.
Labor organizations (unions) pursuing first contracts.
Private-sector employers covered by the NLRA.
The Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS).
The National Labor Relations Board (through its ongoing role in certifications and elections).

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill modifies private-sector collective bargaining by inserting government-directed timelines and arbitration, which could affect the balance of negotiating power between employers and unions. It operates within the existing framework of the NLRA without altering constitutional structures, though the introduction of mandatory binding arbitration for initial contracts represents a notable expansion of federal oversight in labor disputes.

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

Sponsor

Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1]

Cosponsors (110)

Rep. Stauber, Pete [R-MN-8], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Budzinski, Nikki [D-IL-13], Rep. Malliotakis, Nicole [R-NY-11], Rep. Kennedy, Timothy M. [D-NY-26], Rep. Bacon, Don [R-NE-2], Rep. Riley, Josh [D-NY-19], Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17], Rep. Craig, Angie [D-MN-2], Rep. Rulli, Michael A. [R-OH-6], Rep. Golden, Jared F. [D-ME-2], Rep. LaLota, Nick [R-NY-1], Rep. Randall, Emily [D-WA-6], Rep. Van Drew, Jefferson [R-NJ-2], Rep. Larsen, Rick [D-WA-2], Rep. Smith, Christopher H. [R-NJ-4], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Bresnahan, Robert P. [R-PA-8], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Moore, Riley M. [R-WV-2], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Garbarino, Andrew R. [R-NY-2], Rep. Stevens, Haley M. [D-MI-11], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Miller, Max L. [R-OH-7], Rep. Boyle, Brendan F. [D-PA-2], Rep. Langworthy, Nicholas A. [R-NY-23], Rep. Hoyle, Val T. [D-OR-4], Rep. Van Orden, Derrick [R-WI-3], Rep. McBath, Lucy [D-GA-6], Rep. Carey, Mike [R-OH-15], Rep. Gottheimer, Josh [D-NJ-5], Rep. Bergman, Jack [R-MI-1], Rep. Scholten, Hillary J. [D-MI-3], Rep. Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria [D-NY-14], Rep. Goodlander, Maggie [D-NH-2], Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3], Rep. Cherfilus-McCormick, Sheila [D-FL-20], Rep. Neguse, Joe [D-CO-2], Del. Norton, Eleanor Holmes [D-DC-At Large], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Wasserman Schultz, Debbie [D-FL-25], Rep. Harder, Josh [D-CA-9], Rep. Waters, Maxine [D-CA-43], Rep. Pingree, Chellie [D-ME-1], Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7], Rep. Landsman, Greg [D-OH-1], Rep. Casten, Sean [D-IL-6], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11] and 60 more

Recent Actions

2026-06-10: Received in the Senate.
2026-06-09: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2026-06-09: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 193 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H4029-4030) (Roll call 216)
2026-06-09: Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 193 (Roll no. 216). (Roll call 216)
2026-06-09: The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
2026-06-09: DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5408.
2026-06-09: Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1140. (consideration: CR H4029-4037)
2025-09-16: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
2025-09-16: Introduced in House
2025-09-16: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

Faster Labor Contracts Act — issued 2026-06-09 — PDF (10 pages)
Faster Labor Contracts Act — issued 2025-09-16 — PDF (7 pages)