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Bill sets union contract bargaining timeline and deadlines

Passed one chamberH.R. 5408Latest action

Sponsor: Donald Norcross · Representative · NJ

AIDecoded by AI · checked against the record
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Official title: Faster Labor Contracts Act

119th Congress

Topics: Jobs & the economy

Introduced:

Read the official bill on Congress.gov

In plain words

The plain-language version comes first. The official text is always the reference.

If no union contract is reached after 90 days, a binding arbitration panel steps in to decide the deal.

40-second read · 4 questions answered below

What does this do?

This bill creates a set timeline for reaching a first union contract after workers vote to unionize. If bargaining stalls after 90 days, a federal agency helps mediate. If 30 more days pass with no deal, a three-person panel makes a final, binding decision that lasts two years.

Who does it affect?

This bill mainly affects private-sector employers and the workers they newly employ under union representation. It also directs a federal watchdog agency to study and report to Congress on how long first contracts take to reach under this law.

Why does it matter?

Without a set timeline, first contract negotiations can stretch on indefinitely after a union vote. This bill creates fixed deadlines and a backstop decision so that both sides reach an agreement within a defined period.

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Read the official bill on Congress.gov

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Where does it stand?

  1. IntroducedSep 16, 2025
  2. House committee
  3. House vote
  4. SenateYou are here · Jun 10, 2026
  5. The president's desk

Right now: it passed the House, and the official record shows nothing new since. If the Senate changes it, it goes back to the House before reaching the president.

Latest action: — Received in the Senate.

Data as of October 9, 2026

Recorded votes

Roll-call votes recorded since January 3, 2025.

  1. House · · Roll call 216

    As recorded

    Question
    On Passage
    Result:
    Passed
    230
    Nay
    193
    0
    7

    Republicans 20 yes, 192 no, 5 not voting · Democrats 210 yes, 2 not voting · Independent 1 no

    Official record
    How members voted

    The official record lists how each member voted.Official record

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