Andrew Strom, a labor lawyer and adjunct professor at Brooklyn Law School, joined the America’s Work Force Union Podcast to discuss the difficulties that American workers face when organizing, the limitations of new labor law reforms like the Faster Labor Contracts Act, and the transformative impact of strong union contracts in promoting upward mobility.
Strom began by discussing the cumbersome process workers face when they attempt to negotiate their first union contract. He discussed examples dealing with employers like Amazon and Starbucks, where, despite successful union elections, protracted legal strategies by these employers often delay bargaining for years. Strom explained that the current system allows employers to file meritless objections and appeals without financial consequence, thereby stalling negotiations and demoralizing organizing committees. He argued that the Faster Labor Contracts Act, while a step forward, primarily addresses delays after bargaining begins, rather than the critical issue of employers postponing negotiations from the outset.
Next, Strom discussed the lack of penalties for companies that refuse to bargain in good faith. Unlike workplace safety violations overseen by the Occupational Health and Safety Administration, which at least come with modest fines, the National Labor Relations Act imposes no penalties on employers who disregard workers’ rights to bargain, he said. This “win-win” scenario for employers not only stalls progress but also erodes the legitimacy of the labor movement in the eyes of business leaders, Strom said. He suggested reforms such as compelling companies to compensate workers for legal delays if objections are deemed meritless, and incentivizing fairer and more timely bargaining processes.
Finally, Strom discussed the positive impact union contracts can have on upward mobility, using Bill Pastreich’s legacy at Cape Cod Hospital as an example. He described how Pastreich’s leadership brought innovative solutions, like career ladder programs and seniority-based promotions, enabling staff to move into better-paid, more satisfying roles. The union’s negotiation not only improved opportunities for staff but also fostered loyalty and accountability, making management more transparent when filling positions. Strom emphasized that union contracts can transform jobs into careers and should be celebrated and replicated throughout the labor movement.
For more from Strom, listen to the full episode of the America’s Work Force Union Podcast above.
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