The Teamsters are backing the Faster Labor Contracts Act (FLCA), a new bill introduced by Sens. Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Cory Booker (D-NJ) that would require employers to start contract negotiations with newly organized workers within 10 days of voting to form their union.

Under the status quo, employers stonewall, stall and outright violate their legal obligation to bargain with workers who unionize.

It takes workers an average of 465 days to get a first contract according to a study by Bloomberg Law. 

The FLCA would impose mandatory bargaining within 10 days of the union’s request, and require mediation if the employer fails to reach an agreement within 90 days.

If mediation doesn’t work, the dispute goes to binding arbitration to settle a first contract.

The bill is cosponsored by two Republicans, Sens. Josh Hawley of Missouri and Bernie Moreno of Ohio, and three Democrats, Sens. Cory Booker of New Jersey, Jeff Merkley of Oregon, and Gary Peters of Michigan.