FLCA ready for House vote: The Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408) discharge petition reached the necessary 218 votes (including 7 Republicans) to force a floor vote, advancing the bill closer to becoming law.
- The legislation would allow government arbitrators to write first contracts between employers and unions if the two parties are unable to come to an agreement within 120 days of a union election. Read more about the bill and CHRO’s opposition here
The bottom line: The discharge petition gained Republican support from members in districts with higher union density and who see no political harm in supporting a bill that is currently unlikely to pass the Senate. For the same reasons, the FLCA could pass in the House; a vote is expected the week of June 8th.
Virginia mandates paid sick leave: Employees can accrue and use up to 40 hours of paid time off for their own or a family member’s illness under the law signed this week by Gov. Spanberger (D).
The bottom line: Virginia becomes the thirteenth state (plus D.C.) to have paid sick leave and paid family and medical leave mandates. Paid leave policies continue to grow in a state-by-state patchwork in the absence of a federal law.
