A new bipartisan bill in the U.S. House would put first-contract negotiations on the fast track, aiming to take away union-busting delay tactics after employees organize.

“It takes an average of 458 days to get a first contract — and that’s if you get a first contract,” said Rep. Donald Norcross, a member of Folsom, N.J., Local 351 and the only IBEW-represented electrician in Congress, citing a Bloomberg Law report. “It’s not by accident that this happens.”

Norcross’ bill, the Faster Labor Contracts Act, calls for a set timeframe for first-contract negotiations, beginning with a deadline to start talks within 10 days of a bargaining unit’s election certification. If an agreement can’t be reached by Day 90, negotiations would move to federally supervised mediation.

If talks remain stalled by Day 120, the parties would then have 14 more days under the act either to agree on a three-person binding arbitration panel or to have the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service appoint a panel for them.

That panel’s decision would become the bargaining unit’s first two-year agreement.

“Companies of all sizes mistreat workers and disrespect organized labor with stalling tactics because they know they can,” Government Affairs Director Dean Warsh said at a Sept. 16 Capitol Hill event announcing the bill. “The Faster Labor Contracts Act is sensible legislation that will help working people, as well as the NLRB, by setting firm and enforceable contract negotiation timelines.”

Norcross is a journeyman inside wireman and former Local 351 business representative who has represented New Jersey’s 1st Congressional District since 2014. Joining him to announce the bill was the principal cosponsor, Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber.

Ironworkers President Eric Dean and Teamsters President Sean O’Brien also were on hand to deliver remarks in favor of the FLCA, while nearly 50 members of several unions stood on risers behind the speakers and held up posters in support of the bill.

The Norcross bill is the House companion to a bipartisan Senate measure introduced in April by Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley and New Jersey Sen. Cory Booker.

International President Kenneth W. Cooper encourages IBEW members to tell their representatives in both chambers to support their respective versions of the Faster Labor Contracts Act: S. 844 in the Senate and H.R. 5408 in the House.

“Workers who courageously rally their brothers and sisters to organize and join a union deserve a chance to get a speedy first contract without a fight,” Cooper said. “These bills provide an opportunity to level the playing field for working people.”

To learn how to support the IBEW’s legislative priorities, visit ibewgov.org. You can call your senator or representative at (202) 224-3121.