Faster Labor Contracts Act

This bill would establish mandatory timelines for negotiating initial collective bargaining agreements, requiring talks to begin within 10 days of a request from a new labor representative. If an agreement is not reached within 90 days, the proposal allows for federal mediation and, if necessary, binding arbitration to finalize a two-year contract. The legislation would also require employers to maintain existing workplace conditions during negotiations and mandates a government study on the time required to complete initial labor contracts.

This bill affects employers and newly recognized or certified bargaining representatives involved in negotiating an initial collective bargaining agreement. It also impacts the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS), which is tasked with providing mediation and referring unresolved disputes to arbitration panels. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office is required to conduct research and report to Congress on the timelines of initial contract executions.

• Mandatory Negotiation Timelines. Employers must begin collective bargaining negotiations within 10 days of receiving a written request from a newly recognized or certified representative. Parties are required to make every reasonable effort to reach and sign an initial agreement.
• Mediation and Arbitration Procedures. If an agreement is not reached within 90 days, either party may request mediation through the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service (FMCS). If mediation fails after 30 days, the dispute is referred to an arbitration panel to establish a binding two-year agreement based on factors like employer finances and cost of living.
• Maintenance of Employment Terms. Employers are required to maintain existing wages, hours, and working conditions throughout the negotiation process. The duty to bargain continues even if the bargaining representative is decertified during this period.
• GAO Reporting Requirements. The Government Accountability Office must submit a report to Congress detailing the average length of time between the certification of a bargaining representative and the execution of the initial collective bargaining agreement.

The bill modifies the collective bargaining process by establishing mandatory timelines and mediation requirements involving the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. It also clarifies that an employer's duty to bargain persists even if a representative is decertified and requires the Government Accountability Office to report on the duration of initial contract negotiations.

The bill aims to expedite the finalization of initial collective bargaining agreements by establishing mandatory negotiation timelines and providing for mediation and binding arbitration when parties fail to reach an agreement. It also requires federal oversight through reporting on the duration of the bargaining process following the certification of a representative.