Faster Labor Contracts Act
Latest action (Jun 10, 2026) — Received in the Senate.
What it does
Congressional Research Service, Jun 9, 2026This bill establishes mandatory deadlines for parties negotiating an initial collective bargaining agreement (CBA) and provides for mediation and arbitration to finalize CBAs.
Under the bill, CBA negotiations must begin within 10 days after an employer receives a written request from a newly recognized or certified bargaining representative. The bill provides that parties must make every reasonable effort to conclude and sign a CBA. Further, the bill provides that, if the parties have not reached an agreement after 90 days, either party may request mediation by the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). The bill directs FMCS to use its best efforts to secure an agreement.
If mediation does not result in an agreement within 30 days (or an additional period agreed to by both parties), FMSC must refer the parties to an arbitration panel to render a decision settling the dispute. The panel must consider specified factors, including the employer's financial prospects and employees' cost of living. The resulting CBA is binding on the parties for two years. (Parties may agree to amend the terms during the two-year period.)
The bill specifies that (1) an employer must maintain current wages, hours, terms, and conditions of employment during negotiations; and (2) an employer's duty to collectively bargain continues even if a representative has been decertified.
The Government Accountability Office must report to Congress regarding the average number of days between the certification or recognition of a bargaining representative and the date the initial CBA was executed.
Face Value
as passed the HouseHow much of this bill its name accounts for.
- Every bill starts at100
- Nothing counted against it: one area of law, and short enough that length doesn't register.
Face Value measures reach, not honesty. A big bill can be accurately named, and a low score is not an accusation — it means the contents reach further than any short title could describe. Count it yourself ↗ How this is worked out
What Congress did
1 recordeddecisive vote
House · Jun 9, 2026
Whether the bill passes the House. This is the vote most people mean.
Who lobbied on this
22 organizationsThese organizations told Congress, in their own quarterly disclosures, that they were lobbying on this bill.
- International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employeeswanted it passed
“…Support for H.R. 5408 / S.844, Faster Labor Contracts…” filing ↗
- International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workerswanted it passed
“…Protecting America's Workforce Act H.R. 2550, S. 2837 Support Empowering Striking Workers Act H.R. 5206, S. 2731 Support Faster Labor Contracts Act H.R. 5408, S. 844 Support Reinstatement of Gwynne Wilcox to the NLRB (No Bill Number) Oppose Whirlpool Layoffs in Amana Iowa (No Bill Number) Support…” filing ↗
- International Brotherhood of Teamsterswanted it passed
“…Lobbied in support of HR 5408/S. 844, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, legislation to expedite initial collective bargaining agreements. Lobbied in opposition to federal…” filing ↗
- Argentumno position stated
“…H.R. 5408, Faster Labor Contracts Actto promote voluntary agreements, worker choice, and free enterprise, and prevent mandatory arbitration in the…” filing ↗
- Associated General Contractors of Americano position stated
“…H.R.5408, S.844, Faster Labor Contracts…” filing ↗
- Communications Workers of Americano position stated
“…the Raise the Wage Act would gradually raise the federal minimum wage to $17 per hour by 2030 and then index the minimum wage to inflation after that H.R. 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act would stop companies from using delay tactics during first-union contract negotiations H.R.8612, the Reward…” filing ↗
- Conocophillipsno position stated
“Discussions about bargaining timeframes in H.R. 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act.” filing ↗
- Food Marketplace Inc.no position stated
“…Businesses Act H.R. 4896/S. 2613 - Warehouse Worker Protection Act H.R. 4393 - Dignity Act H.R. 5494 - Essential Workers for Economic Advancement Act H.R. 5408/S. 844 - Faster Labor Contracts Act” filing ↗
- International Association of Fire Fightersno position stated
“…for Injured Federal Workers Act H.R. 3791, EMS Counts Act H.R. 4453, Parkinsons Protection for Fire Fighters Act of 2025 H.R. 4763, PTO Act H.R. 5408/S. 844, Faster Labor Contracts Act S. 1006, Federal Workforce Freedom Act S. 2278, A bill to amend 18 USC to punish criminal offenses…” filing ↗
- International Brotherhood of Electrical Workersno position stated
“…The IBEW lobbied on several bills that would impact IBEW members' rights in the workplace, including but not limited to: Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408), Modern Worker Empowerment Act (S. 2228, Unlocking Benefits for Independent Workers Act (S.…” filing ↗
- International Foodservice Distributors Associationno position stated
“H.R. 5408/S. 844, Faster Labor Contracts Act, all…” filing ↗
- International Franchise Associationno position stated
“H.R. 5267/S. 3525, American Franchise Act. H.R. 5408/S. 844, Faster Labor Contracts Act Opposition Letter. Nominations of David Prouty and James Macy to serve as members of the National Labor…” filing ↗
Most filings say only that an organization lobbied on a bill, not which side it took — where that's the case we say so rather than guessing. Quotes are verbatim from the filing. How this is built.
Discussion
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