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WASHINGTON, D.C., April 20, 2026 – The IAM Union (International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers) is urging members of Congress to sign U.S. Rep. Donald Norcross’s (D-N.J.) discharge petition to force a vote on the Faster Labor Contracts Act, bipartisan legislation aimed at ensuring workers can secure a first union contract without unnecessary delays.
Collective bargaining is a fundamental right guaranteed to most workers in the United States through the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). The right to form a union and bargain collectively is central to improving wages, hours and working conditions. But after workers vote to unionize, they often face a long and frustrating wait to secure their first agreement with management.
“The ability to collectively bargain a contract with their employer is central to why workers in growing numbers are exercising their right to form and join unions,” said IAM Union International President Brian Bryant. “Securing a first contract is perhaps the most important part of collective bargaining – and it is also often the hardest. Employers know they can drag their feet and demoralize workers. This Faster Labor Contracts Act changes that dynamic by making union-busting employers actually come to the table.”
The NLRA currently imposes no timeline for reaching a first contract, allowing employers to stall negotiations for months—or even years—while continuing to benefit from the status quo. According to Bloomberg Law, it takes an average of 458 days for unions and employers to reach an initial agreement.
“The IAM Union applauds Congressman Norcross and his allies in Congress for taking this needed step to advance the Faster Labor Contracts Act helping workers obtain a too often elusive first contract,” said Bryant.
The Faster Labor Contracts Act would establish a clear process to move negotiations forward and prevent bad-faith delays, helping ensure workers can achieve a first contract in a timely manner.
