Faster Labor Contracts Act heads for likely House floor vote
A Discharge Petition (H. Res. 1140) on the Faster Labor Contracts Act (H.R. 5408) by Rep. Donald Norcross (D-N.J.) has reached 218 signatures, the threshold needed to force a vote in the House on the underlying bill over the objection of Republican leadership. This legislation seeks to modify federal labor law to require employers and unions to finalize initial collective bargaining contracts within 120 days or face mandatory arbitration, under which government-appointed arbitrators would set the terms and conditions for the first contract.
The Discharge Petition reached the 218-signature threshold May 20 when Republican Reps. Riley Moore (R-W.Va.), Nick LaLota (R-N.Y.) and Don Bacon (R-Neb.) joined four other Republicans and nearly all Democrats who had previously signed the petition. It appears likely a House floor vote on H.R. 5408 could happen during the week of June 8, and given the bipartisan support for the bill as demonstrated in the Discharge Petition, it appears likely to pass the House. In the Senate, Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) has introduced companion legislation (S. 844) that has limited bipartisan support, but sources indicate the legislation faces an uphill battle in obtaining the 60 votes needed for approval in the upper chamber regardless of what transpires in the House.
NRCA opposes this legislation because of concerns it would effectively discard the “voluntary agreement” principle critical to federal labor law, dramatically expand the authority of the federal government in private markets and may be unconstitutional. Given these strong concerns, NRCA is working with allied organizations in opposition to the bill in advance of the expected House vote.
Acting secretary of labor testifies before Congress regarding Trump labor agenda
Acting Secretary of Labor Keith Sonderling testified before the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies regarding President Trump’s fiscal year 2027 proposed $14.4 billion budget request for the department. Among other issues, he highlighted the administration’s efforts to implement numerous deregulatory policies, modernize and streamline workforce development programs and expand registered apprenticeships. Sonderling recently became acting secretary after the resignation of Lori Chavez-DeRemer in April. Members of the subcommittee and other lawmakers are considering the president’s budget request as they draft appropriations legislation to establish funding levels for workforce and regulatory programs operated by the department.
Department of Labor issues guidance regarding use of federal workforce funds
On May 19, the Department of Labor released a Training and Employment Guidance Letter that clarifies the allowable uses of funds for outreach activities within workforce training and grant programs under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Carl D. Perkins Act. The letter provides examples of how grantees can use funds to effectively conduct outreach and directs the workforce system to expand its reach to more workers who can benefit from employment and training services and better meet the needs of businesses. NRCA is reviewing the extensive letter to fully understand how the new guidance can improve workforce development programs to benefit the roofing industry.
EEOC proposed rule regarding EEO-1 reporting requirement
The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission is reported to be in the final stages of developing a proposed rule that likely will rescind Standard Form 100, commonly known as the annual EEO-1 Report, which has been in place since 1966 under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act, and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act. Under the existing requirement, employers with 100 or more employees must submit to the EEOC certain demographic information regarding the number of employees at each work location by job category, sex, race and ethnicity. Similar reports must also be filed by labor unions, state and local governments, and secondary school systems. Although the full substance of the draft rule has not yet been made public and it will take a significant amount time before any such proposal is finalized after the agency received public comments, it appears the EEO-1 reporting requirement is likely to be rescinded eventually.
Help ROOFPAC finish fiscal year 2025-26 strong
As NRCA’s fiscal year 2025-26 nears its close, we are asking all members to consider a personal contribution to help ensure the roofing industry has a seat at the table. ROOFPAC is the only political action committee dedicated to supporting the roofing industry in Washington, D.C. A strong ROOFPAC is critical to NRCA’s work advancing pro-growth economic policies and career and technical education—all to help protect and grow your business! NRCA members can contribute any amount from $25 up to $5,000 annually online.
You also can show your support by joining a ROOFPAC club featuring exclusive benefits and recognition:
- Emerging Leaders Club: $250
- Capitol Hill Club: $1,000
- Political Insiders Council: $5,000
Learn more and contribute! Questions? Contact Teri Dorn, NRCA’s director of political affairs, at (202) 510-0920 or tdorn@nrca.net.
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