Animation Guild | We are 839 Digital Magazine
Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1546404
16 KEYFRAME T H E L O C A L 16 KEYFRAME LABOR SCHOOL WHAT IS THE FASTER LABOR CONTRACTS ACT? The IATSE-endorsed Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408) is a bill that would amend Section 8(d) of the National Labor Relations Act (NLRA). It would require employers to begin negotiating within 10 days of a union election. If the parties failed to reach an agreement within 90 days, the dispute would go to mediation. If mediation failed after 30 days, the dispute would go to binding arbitration to secure an initial contract. WHEN DID IT ORIGINATE? The NLRA does not impose a time limit on reaching a first contract. This means that once workers vote to unionize, employers can drag out negotiations. According to Bloomberg Law, it takes an average of 465 days for unions and employers to agree on a first contract. To speed this process along, Representatives Donald Norcross (D-NJ) and Pete Stauber (R-MN) introduced the Faster Labor Contracts Act in September 2025. The bill passed with a bipartisan majority in the House of Representatives on June 9th. A companion measure (S. 844) has been introduced by Senators Josh Hawley (R-MO) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). As of this writing, the bill is awaiting committee action in the Senate. FASTER L ABOR CONTR AC TS AC T THE FASTER L ABOR CONTR ACTS ACTS PASSED THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES IN JUNE. READ ON TO LEARN ABOUT THE ACT AND WHAT'S NEX T. MEET YOUR TAG EXECUTIVE BOARD CLAIRE MORRISSEY WHY DOES IT MATTER TO YOU? If an animation crew votes to unionize, but the employer is legally allowed to put off first contract negotiations, this can delay the benefits of a union contract for the entire length of a production that a crew is working on. "This [bill] is particularly important for entertainment workers whose livelihoods often depend on moving from job to job," says Tyler McIntosh, IATSE Political/Legislative Director, explaining that securing a contract with industry standard wages, benefits, and other protections is critical before a production wraps. HOW CAN YOU HELP? The IATSE's work in Washington, D.C. and on the federal level in endorsing bills like this, as well as working with pro- labor lawmakers, would not be possible without the support of union members donating to the IATSE PAC. TAG members can make a one-time donation or sign up for monthly donations at iatsepac.net. You can contact your legislators and let them know you support the Faster Labor Contracts Act by calling 202-224-3121.