Riley: Faster Labor Contracts Act Will Put Power Back in Workers' Hands

September 23, 2025

ITHACA, N.Y. — Congressman Josh Riley (NY-19) today announced that he is introducing the bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408), legislation that makes sure that workers vote to form a union don’t have to wait years for their first contract.

The bill requires employers to start bargaining within 10 days of a union vote. If no agreement is reached in 90 days, talks move to mediation. If mediation fails within 30 days, the dispute heads to binding arbitration to lock in a fair first contract.

“When workers vote to form a union, it shouldn’t take years to get a first contract,” Riley said. “Too often, big corporations drag their feet and use delay tactics to wear workers down. This bill gives workers the power to win the fair wages, good benefits, and the dignity they’ve earned.”

On average, it takes more than 450 days for workers to secure a first contract after forming a union. Workers across Upstate have faced the same delays, with employers dragging out talks and stalling on first contracts.

The bill has the backing of a broad coalition of unions, including the Teamsters, TWU, UBC, UFCW, IBEW, ATU, UAW, LiUNA, IAFF, IATSE, USW, and more. Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien called it “one of the most consequential bills for organized labor in generations.”

Riley pledged to continue pressing for stronger labor laws and fair contracts as the bill moves through Congress

Since being sworn into office, Congressman Josh Riley has made rebuilding the middle class and protecting working families the cornerstone of his work in Congress. His co-sponsorship of the Faster Labor Contracts Act builds on a record of fighting for fair wages, union rights, and strong domestic industries.

Riley’s Record:

2024

December 19, 2024 — Sent a letter to the Department of Labor urging OSHA to exempt volunteer fire departments from burdensome new Emergency Response regulations.

2025

January 3, 2025 — Sworn into the 119th Congress, pledged to “rebuild the Middle Class” for working families.
February 7, 2025 — Backed bipartisan dairy farm bills to expand school lunch and institutional markets for local producers.
February 13, 2025 — Introduced the Weatherization Enhancement and Readiness Act, creating union jobs while lowering energy costs.
February 13, 2025 — Introduced the Lowering Egg Prices Act (H.R. 2222) to cut USDA red tape, reduce waste, and lower food costs.
February 13, 2025 — Introduced the Healthy Poultry Assistance and Indemnification Act to support farmers during avian flu outbreaks.
February 21, 2025 — Visited Glezen Farms, called for protections on farmland from foreign corporate ownership.
March 2025 — Launched an Upstate Agriculture Advisory Board to guide farm and labor policy in NY-19.
May 1, 2025 — Voted for the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act of 2025 (H.R. 2480) to strengthen U.S. manufacturing.
May 19, 2025 — House passed Riley’s Clean Energy Demonstration Transparency Act (H.R. 1453) to expand clean energy manufacturing with transparency.
June 11, 2025 — Co-sponsored the Helping Emergency Responders Overcome Emergency Situations (HEROES) Act, H.R. 3146, to extend student loan forgiveness to volunteer firefighters and EMTs.
June 25, 2025 — Co-sponsored the Leveraging Efficiency Awareness for Pumping Systems (LEAPS) Act to help farmers modernize irrigation and support local manufacturing.
September 11, 2025 — Co-sponsored the 9/11 Responder and Survivor Health Funding Correction Act (H.R. 1410) to secure long-term funding for the World Trade Center Health Program.
September 16, 2025 — Co-sponsored the Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408) to speed up union contracts and stop corporate stalling tactics.
September 18, 2025 — Introduced the Keep the Lights Local Act to prohibit foreign governments and corporations from owning American utilities.

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