Faster Labor Contracts Act
This bill establishes strict deadlines to help newly unionized workers and employers reach a first workplace contract. Employers must begin bargaining within 10 days of a union's request and maintain existing wages and work rules while talks are underway. If both sides cannot reach an agreement within 90 days of bargaining followed by 30 days of federal mediation, a three-person arbitration panel will step in to issue a binding two-year contract based on business finances, cost of living, and industry wage standards.
What this bill touches.
Who it helps · who it burdens.
Who it helps
- Newly recognized or certified labor organizations and represented employeesGains the right to begin initial contract negotiations within 10 days of request, protection against unilateral changes to wages and conditions during bargaining, continuous bargaining obligations by employers absent decertification, and access to mediation and binding arbitration if talks stall (Sec. 3(1)(C)-(D), Sec. 3(1)(K)(3)).
Who it burdens
- Employers negotiating initial collective bargaining agreementsRequires employers to maintain existing wages and working conditions during bargaining, start initial contract talks within 10 days of a written request, continue bargaining unless a union is formally decertified in an election, and submit to binding arbitration for a two-year contract if negotiations and mediation fail (Sec. 3(1)(C)-(D), Sec. 3(1)(K)(3)).
- Federal Mediation and Conciliation ServiceMust provide mediation services upon request when initial contract negotiations stall after 90 days, establish regulations for three-person arbitration panels, and appoint panel members if the parties fail to do so (Sec. 3(1)(K)(3)(B)-(C)).
- Government Accountability OfficeRequires the Comptroller General to submit a report to Congress within one year examining the average number of days between union certification or recognition and entering into an initial collective bargaining agreement (Sec. 4).
The provisions, in plain language.
Show all 6 provisions
Requires employers to maintain existing wages, hours, and working conditions while negotiating a collective bargaining agreement.
Requires employers and newly recognized or certified labor representatives to begin initial contract bargaining within 10 days of receiving a written request.
Allows either party to request federal mediation if negotiations fail to produce an initial contract within 90 days of starting.
Requires disputes unresolved after 30 days of federal mediation to go to a three-person arbitration panel to establish a binding two-year initial contract based on employer finances, cost of living, and industry wages.
Specifies that an employer's duty to bargain collectively continues unless the employee representative is decertified in an election.
Directs the Government Accountability Office to report to Congress within one year on the average time it takes to reach an initial contract after union recognition or certification.
Requires employers to maintain existing wages, hours, and working conditions while negotiating a collective bargaining agreement.
Requires employers and newly recognized or certified labor representatives to begin initial contract bargaining within 10 days of receiving a written request.
Allows either party to request federal mediation if negotiations fail to produce an initial contract within 90 days of starting.
Requires disputes unresolved after 30 days of federal mediation to go to a three-person arbitration panel to establish a binding two-year initial contract based on employer finances, cost of living, and industry wages.
How your members of Congress line up
How members voted on Faster Labor Contracts Act.
Recorded roll calls on this bill, most recent first. Open one to see each member's position.
How it moved.
Show all 9 actions
- Received in the Senate.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 193 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H4029-4030)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 193 (Roll no. 216).
- The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
- DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5408.
- Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 1140. (consideration: CR H4029-4037)
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Introduced in House
- Received in the Senate.
- Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
- On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 193 (Roll no. 216). (text: CR H4029-4030)
- Passed/agreed to in House: On passage Passed by the Yeas and Nays: 230 - 193 (Roll no. 216).
- Introduced in House
Read it for yourself.
Sources & provenance
Cite this page
Civic Herald. “Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408, 119th Congress).” https://civicherald.app/bills/119-hr-5408. Congress.gov record as of Jul 17, 2026.