HARDI Signs Coalition Letter Opposing the Faster Labor Contracts Act

HARDI recently joined the Coalition for a Democratic Workplace, including 375 other organizations, in a letter urging members of Congress to oppose the Faster Labor Contracts Act, also known as the FLCA.

The coalition letter raises concerns that the legislation would significantly expand federal involvement in private labor negotiations by allowing government-appointed arbitrators to impose first contracts between unions and employers. Under the bill, employers and newly certified unions would have a limited period to reach an initial agreement. If they are unable to do so, the process could move to mediation and then binding arbitration, resulting in a two-year contract that neither side could appeal and workers would not have the opportunity to ratify or reject.

For HARDI members, this issue has practical implications. Labor policy affects how businesses manage their workforce, plan for costs, negotiate in good faith, and maintain operational flexibility. The coalition argues that the FLCA would replace voluntary agreement with a federally imposed process that could dictate wages, benefits, leave policies, safety procedures, and other workplace terms without sufficient consideration of an individual business’s circumstances or financial viability.

The letter also emphasizes that current law already requires employers and unions to bargain in good faith. Rather than improving that process, the coalition argues that the FLCA would create a rigid system that prioritizes speed over meaningful negotiation, worker input, and practical outcomes. The concern is not simply that the bill would change the timeline for negotiations, but that it would shift final decision-making authority away from employers, employees, and unions and toward outside arbitrators.

HARDI’s decision to sign the letter reflects its broader commitment to supporting policies that allow members to operate with certainty, flexibility, and a fair regulatory framework. Distributors are employers, community businesses, and essential partners in the HVACR supply chain. Federal labor policies that affect workforce management and business planning can have direct consequences for their ability to serve contractors, customers, and local markets.

HARDI will continue to monitor congressional activity on the FLCA and other labor policy proposals that could affect members and the broader HVACR industry.

Read the full text of the letter here.

Questions?

If you have questions, please reach out to Alex Ayers.

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