The Transport Workers Union of America is endorsing a new bill, The Faster Labor Contracts Act, that compels employers to begin union contract negotiations within 10 days of a successful vote in favor of union representation.
“Greedy corporations use delay tactics to their advantage – denying workers a life-changing contract for years in some cases by simply refusing to bargain in good faith. This new bill would eliminate a frequent anti-worker tactic used by the bosses and give workers more collective power to determine what is best for their workplace,” said TWU International President John Samuelsen. “It is also a major milestone that this bill is being introduced by senators from both major political parties – demonstrating bipartisan support for workers’ quest for enhanced economic security and recognizing corporations have too often refused to engage in good faith bargaining.”
The new bill is cosponsored by two Republicans, Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Bernie Moreno of Ohio, and three Democrats, Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, and Gary Peters of Michigan.
Bloomberg Law reported in 2022 that it takes 465 days on average for a new union to sign its first contract – a significant increase in recent years.