Teamsters Push for Speedier Labor Agreements with New Legislation

Teamsters Push for Speedier Labor Agreements

In a significant development in labor relations, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters has rallied in Washington D.C. to unveil new legislation dubbed the Faster Labor Contracts Act. This initiative aims to revolutionize the collective bargaining process by mandating that employers engage in negotiations with newly organized workers within just ten days of their union formation vote.

On September 16, 2025, Teamsters General President Sean M. O'Brien, alongside representatives from Corewell Health East and Breakthru Beverage, joined forces with key congressional allies, including Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Pete Stauber (R-MN), to push for this essential reform.

O'Brien emphasized the vital importance of this bill, noting, "When passed, the Faster Labor Contracts Act will put working families in this country back at the center of the American economy, and it has the potential to transform entire industries for the better. This legislation is one of the most consequential bills for organized labor in generations." He urged Congress to recognize the bipartisan support required to advance this legislation.

Recent efforts by Teamsters members illustrate the persistent challenges faced by workers during contract negotiations. Last fall, approximately 10,000 nurses from Corewell Health East and 160 drivers from Breakthru Beverage organized under the Teamsters Union, currently striving to secure their first collective bargaining agreements. These workers presented their experiences at the launch event, underscoring the urgency of passing the Faster Labor Contracts Act.

According to Yuniel Sancillena, a local Teamsters member and veteran driver at Breakthru Beverage, the act would clench shut loopholes that allow companies to stall negotiations: "The Faster Labor Contracts Act would make it so companies can't drag their feet during contract negotiations, like Breakthru Beverage has been doing. This legislation would force management to come back to the table and hammer out a deal or face stiff penalties."

The bill, originally proposed earlier this year by Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), has attracted a swell of bipartisan support, reinforcing the belief that the welfare of the working class ought to transcend political divides.

Jason Fratangelo, a nurse from Corewell Health East, remarked on the significance of this unity: "The fact that the Faster Labor Contracts Act has bipartisan support is the icing on the cake. This legislation will discourage employers from dragging their feet at the negotiating table, which is exactly what Corewell Health East is trying to do right now with 10,000 Teamsters nurses."

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters was founded in 1903 and currently represents over 1.3 million working individuals across the U.S., Canada, and Puerto Rico. The union's dedication to advocating for workers' rights continues to resonate powerfully in today's labor landscape.

For further information, visit Teamster.org or follow Teamsters on Twitter at @Teamsters and on Facebook at Facebook.com/teamsters.