THE VOICE OF THE MERIT SHOP

On Oct. 1, the ABC-led Coalition for a Democratic Workplace sent a letter to members of the U.S. House urging them to oppose the Faster Labor Contracts Act. “Parties would have no recourse against the government or arbitrators if the mandated contract terms result in company bankruptcy or closure, and neither the federal government nor arbitrators are equipped to set terms for private parties to a contract,” the letter reads. “Under the bill, workers would effectively be shut out of the negotiation process and forfeit their right to vote for or against the contract.”

On September 16, Rep. Pete Stauber introduced the ABC-opposed FLCA in the House, an effort to strip workers and employers of their right to freely negotiate workplace conditions. Specifically, the FLCA imposes a 10-day time period for an employer and union to begin negotiating following a representation election as well as a requirement that a bargaining agreement be finalized in 90 days. The consequences for not obtaining such an agreement will likely be mandatory, binding arbitration, which will allow the federal government to set the terms of private contracts without the input or consent from the employees, employers or unions involved. For more information, read ABC’s press release.