By JIM YOUNG

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408) by a vote of 230-193, sending the legislation to the Senate where its future remains uncertain.

AGC of America continues to oppose the bill, which would significantly alter the collective bargaining process by imposing accelerated bargaining timelines and allowing government-appointed arbitrators to dictate contract terms when negotiations reach an impasse.

Under the legislation, newly organized employers would have just 90 days to reach an agreement before entering mediation, followed by binding arbitration if no agreement is reached. Arbitrators could then impose a two-year labor contract with limited ability for employers or employees to challenge the outcome.

AGC is concerned that the bill would shift decision-making away from employers and employees at the bargaining table and toward outside arbitrators who may lack familiarity with local construction markets, craft practices and multi-employer bargaining structures. The legislation could also force contractors into standalone agreements that differ from established local contracts, increasing costs, reducing flexibility and creating uncertainty for both union and nonunion employers.

While the bill has cleared the House, it still faces significant hurdles in the Senate. AGC is urging senators and the White House to reject the proposal and preserve a collective bargaining system built on good-faith negotiations rather than government-imposed contracts.