Subject: Breaking News: Hawley's Faster Labor Contracts Act Introduced: LRI INK

March 5, 2025

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(Correction) Breaking News: Faster Labor Contracts Act Introduced—Mandatory Arbitration on the Horizon?

by Michael VanDervort

Corrected:


In a bipartisan move, Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO), Bernie Moreno (R-OH), Cory Booker (D-NJ), Gary Peters (D-MI), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR) introduced the Faster Labor Contracts Act on March 4. This legislation is a key part of Senator Hawley’s broader framework to reshape U.S. labor law, which we wrote about recently.


The bill’s most striking provision? It would require employers and unions to start negotiating collective bargaining agreements within just 10 days after a union wins a representation election. Even more aggressively, it sets a firm deadline to finalize these agreements within months. If either party fails to meet this timeline, the consequences could be significant: mandatory arbitration, where government-appointed arbitrators would have the authority to set the terms and conditions of the first contract.


The introduction of this bill has already ignited heated reactions across the labor landscape. Proponents argue it would streamline negotiations and prevent employers from dragging their feet. Critics see it as a severe overreach that could strip employers of their ability to negotiate terms in good faith, effectively outsourcing critical business decisions to unelected arbitrators.


The Coalition for a Democratic Workplace (CDW) has released a statement on the bill—read it here.


What’s Next?
The bill’s path through Congress is uncertain, but the introduction alone suggests that changes to labor law could be on the fast track. Employers should watch this legislation closely, as its passage could dramatically reshape the collective bargaining landscape.


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Contributing editors for this issue: Michael VanDervort


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About Labor Relations Institute

LRI exists to help our clients thrive and become extraordinary workplaces. We improve the lives of working people by strengthening relationships with their leaders and each other. For over 41 years, LRI has led the labor and employee relations industry, driven by our core values and our proven process, the LRI Way.

 

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