Proposed Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA)

This bipartisan Senate Bill has been introduced by both Republican and Democratic Senators and addresses the time it takes to ratify a first-time contract.

The parameters of this bill ensure that the parties meet at the table within 10 days of the certification of the election, followed by federal mediation if 90 days of negotiations don’t produce a CBA. 

The parties will then utilize mediators over the course of the next 30 days to reach an agreement. 

If the parties are still at odds, they can file for binding arbitration that consists of a three-person arbitration panel, which must be in place after 14 days. 

The panel will hear the disputes and rule on the matter, which will be binding on the employer and the union for two years.  

This legislation is titled “The Faster Labor Contracts Act” and is filed as Senate Bill 844.

This is important legislation for the Operating Engineers. This could expedite the process for new members achieving their first contract. It should be supported by all friends of the labor movement - regardless of party.  

Please reach out to your members of the House and Senate to demonstrate your support for this legislation. 

It is receiving bipartisan support, although it is sure to get push back by anti-union agitators in both chambers. 

This is common ground and common sense for the American worker, if they choose to unionize.

You will find more details here: https://www.booker.senate.gov/news/press/-booker-hawley-introduce-bipartisan-legislation-to-speed-up-labor-contracts

Follow the bill's progress here: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/844

Local 542's focus on public policy is producing results!

Traditionally, like many other unions, our union viewed being involved in politics as something separate from our mission as a union representing workers in the building trades.

That view has evolved over the last few years because more and more of our members are increasingly aware that many of the projects we work on are funded by taxpayer dollars. Those are taxes we pay to local, state, and federal governments, and our elected officials decide how those funds are spent.

Laws that directly impact our health and safety on the job, our job security, and our rights as union members are also decided by elected officials. So, like it or not, our union must be involved in politics to protect the interests of our members.

Local 542 has started doing more to raise our visibility with elected officials by focusing on critical issues like misclassification, unemployment compensation, protecting area wage standards, job safety, apprentice training, and the right to organize. We are ensuring that elected officials at all levels of government, from school boards on up, know what issues matter to our members.

In addition to educating elected officials and candidates for public office, Local 542 is becoming a reliable and credible resource that those elected officials know they can trust to give them valuable information when they are drafting laws or spending tax dollars.

On this page, you will find out more about the important issues affecting our members and our families, as well as how to contact your legislators and how to talk to them about these issues.