Ranking Member Scott Champions Bill to Ensure Unions Reach First Contracts

Ranking Member Scott Champions Bill to Ensure Unions Reach First Contracts

WASHINGTON - Today, Ranking Member Robert C. "Bobby" Scott, House Committee on Education and Workforce, led support for to H.R. 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act.

Watch Ranking Member Scott's remarks on YouTube.

Here is a transcript of his remarks:

"Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 5408, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, which ensures that workers can quickly and efficiently reach a first contract between a union and their employer. It is also one of the many important provisions of the Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act, which critically bolsters working people's ability to organize and form a union while holding union-busting employers accountable.

"This bill would amend the National Labor Relations Act to require employers to begin negotiations with a newly certified union within 10 days. This bill further provides that if no agreement is reached after 90 days, either party may request mediation from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service. If mediation fails after 30 days, the dispute will be referred to an arbitration panel selected by the union and employer to secure an initial contract.

"For too many workers, the hard work doesn't end when they vote to form a union- it just begins. Reaching a first contract to form a union can take months, even years. In some cases, it never happens at all. It is not unusual for workers to sit through endless delays and other dilatory tactics by employers, including shifting proposals and stalled negotiations. Workers endure all of this while trying to balance their jobs, their families, and their livelihoods.

"When workers choose to organize, they are choosing a unified voice to negotiate for their rights with management-but without a first contract, that voice can be effectively silenced. And dragging out negotiations gives corporations a long chance to break up a union.

"The Faster Labor Contracts Act brings accountability to this process. It sets up reasonable timelines and ensures that both sides engage in serious, good-faith negotiations. It helps prevent delay tactics and keeps the focus where it belongs- on reaching an agreement that works for everyone.

"This bill is about making the right to organize real, not theoretical. Thank you again to Congressman Norcross for your leadership on this issue.

"I reserve the balance of my time."

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