House Bill Aims to Speed Up Negotiations for First Contracts (EW)

Rep. Donald Norcross (Local 351), only IBEW electrician in Congress, introduces bipartisan Faster Labor Contracts Act to combat union-busting delay tactics. Bill establishes 120-day timeline for first-contract negotiations, moving from talks (Day 10) to federal mediation (Day 90) to binding arbitration (Day 120+). Addresses problem where newly organized workers wait average 458 days for first contract. House companion to bipartisan Senate measure by Sens. Hawley and Booker aims to level playing field for workers who courageously organize.

Members' Skills Impress At State Fair's First Lineworker Rodeo (EW)

IBEW-led lineworker rodeo debuts at Iowa State Fair, attracting 4,000+ visitors including Gov. Kim Reynolds and federal legislators. Fifteen teams of union journeymen from Iowa locals competed in four timed events including cutout change-outs, power line flips, emergency rescues, and signature egg climb. Event showcases labor-utility cooperation through LAMPAC partnership, with plans to make rodeo annual tradition and key organizing tool for recruiting veterans and young workers into IBEW.

Sec-Treas Noble: A Fairer Factory Floor (EW)

International Secretary-Treasurer Paul Noble argues that unions are what make manufacturing jobs good jobs, citing model partnership between Local 2173 and Delta Star. Noble warns that momentum from Inflation Reduction Act, Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and CHIPS Act is threatened by current administration reversals. He urges locals to leverage Clean Technology Training Trust to organize manufacturing sector, noting union membership below 10% demands aggressive action to restore North American manufacturing as middle-class foundation.

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