Faster Labor Contracts Act

Summary

Faster Labor Contracts Act This 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.

Summary from the Congressional Research Service. How we handle summaries

Where it stands

Passed one of the two chambers; it still needs the other.

House Committee on Education and Workforce · U.S. House of Representatives

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Cosponsors

Recorded votes

• Vote: On Passage

  U.S. HouseJun 9, 2026Result: Passed

  Voted yes (230)Voted no (193)Voted present (0)Absent (7)

  See member positions

Related bills

• S. 844Faster Labor Contracts ActIdentical bill
• H.Res. 1140Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 5408) to accelerate workplace time-to-contract under the National Labor Relations Act.Related bill

As identified by Congress.gov.

Full history

1. Jun 10, 2026

   Introduced

   Received in the Senate.

   U.S. House

2. Jun 10, 2026

   Sent to the executive

   Received in the Senate.

   U.S. Senate

3. Jun 9, 2026

   Debate - the House Proceeded With One Hour of Debate on H.R. 5408.

   DEBATE - The House proceeded with one hour of debate on H.R. 5408.

   U.S. House of Representatives

4. Jun 9, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

5. Jun 9, 2026

   Passed a chamber

   Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.

Read the record

• Read on Congress.gov (opens in a new tab) The official record on Congress.gov.