Labor & Employment Law Daily Wrap Up, FEDERAL LEGISLATION—Norcross files discharge petition to force House vote on Faster Labor Contracts Act, (Apr 21, 2026)

By Patricia K. Ruiz, J.D

The measure would set timelines and arbitration procedures for first union contracts.

Rep. Donald Norcross (D-NJ) has filed a discharge petition to force a floor vote in the U.S. House on the Faster Labor Contracts Act, a bipartisan bill addressing delays in first collective bargaining agreements. The legislation would amend the National Labor Relations Act to impose timelines for negotiations, mediation, and binding arbitration when newly certified unions and employers cannot reach agreement. Labor organizations, including the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, have publicly urged House members to sign the petition and advance the bill.

Discharge petition. Norcross announced that he filed a discharge petition for the Faster Labor Contracts Act after House leadership did not schedule the bill for a vote. A successful discharge petition requires the signatures of a majority of House members to compel floor consideration. Norcross said the petition was filed to move forward a measure he described as bipartisan support from across the ideological spectrum.

Faster Labor Contracts Act. The Faster Labor Contracts Act would amend Section 8(d) of the National Labor Relations Act to establish deadlines in first-contract negotiations. Employers would be required to begin bargaining within 10 days of receiving a written request from a newly certified union. If no agreement is reached within 90 days, either party could request mediation from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service, followed by referral to a three-person binding arbitration panel if mediation fails. Under the proposal, the arbitration panel would be tasked with securing an initial collective bargaining agreement. That agreement would be binding for two years unless both parties agree to modifications.

Teamsters support. According to an announcement from the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, General President Sean M. O’Brien and rank-and-file Teamsters joined lawmakers in Washington to urge House members to sign onto the discharge petition. Members spoke about delays they said occurred after union elections, including prolonged bargaining timelines following certification. The union said it continues to advocate for passage of the legislation as part of its efforts to support first-contract negotiations.

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