Associated Builders and Contractors is pushing back against new legislation introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Rep. Pete Stauber, R-Minn., has introduced the Faster Labor Contracts Act, which would mandate binding arbitration if employers and unions fail to reach a contract agreement within 120 days.
ABC President and CEO Michael Bellaman said the measure strips away the right of employers and employees to freely negotiate workplace conditions, instead giving authority to federal arbitrators. The group compared the bill to past proposals such as the Protecting the Right to Organize Act and the Employee Free Choice Act, which Congress previously rejected.
Under the proposal, government-appointed arbitrators could dictate contract terms including wages, benefits and workplace procedures, without workers having the right to ratify the agreements. ABC called on lawmakers to oppose the bill, arguing it would harm workers, small businesses and entrepreneurs.
