Published
November 14, 2025
On November 10, Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Chairman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP), introduced a labor reform package that represents a bold and necessary step in updating federal labor laws that have remained largely unchanged for nearly a century. In an economy transformed by technology, remote work, and the rise of independent contracting, Sen. Cassidy’s package aims to bring stability, transparency, and fairness to the workplace—benefiting both workers and employers.
One of the cornerstone bills, the NLRB Stability Act, would require the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to follow federal court precedent when making decisions. This change would end the partisan flip-flopping that has plagued labor policy for decades, creating a predictable environment for both workers and employers. Consistency in rulings would put an end to the NLRB’s arbitrary “non-acquiescence” doctrine through which the Board essentially picks and chooses what court decisions it wants to follow, which would mean fewer surprises and more confidence in the system.
Sen. Cassidy’s Workers RESULTS Act would strengthen the integrity of union elections by requiring secret ballots and a higher threshold of support—two-thirds instead of the current 30%—to initiate a union representation election. Both provisions would ensure that union representation reflects genuine majority support. One less practical section of the bill, however, would prevent a decertification election until after a first contract is reached. While this is clearly more preferable than the unworkable Faster Labor Contracts Act, which would allow the government to simply impose first contracts on workers regardless of their views, there is no reason workers should have to wait until after a first contract to decertify an unwanted union.
Transparency is another key theme of Sen. Cassidy’s package. The Union Members’ Right to Know Act would give workers control over how their dues are spent, requiring unions to disclose political expenditures and allowing members to opt out of funding causes they do not support. This would empower workers to align their financial contributions with their personal values.
The Fairness in Filing Act would raise the bar for filing unfair labor practice charges (ULPs) by requiring evidence up front, helping to curb baseless ULPs that clog the system and delay justice for legitimate grievances. Other provisions safeguard workers’ personal data during organizing campaigns and protect individuals from harassment on picket lines, reinforcing a respectful and secure workplace environment.
Two other parts of Cassidy’s overall package deserve mention.The first is Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s Protection on the Picket Line Act. This bill would allow employers to discipline employees who engage in workplace harassment of their colleagues without triggering a ULP. It would ensure that workplaces remain civil in accordance with laws and regulations enforced by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.
The second is a less welcome piece of legislation, the Put American Workers First Act, introduced by Senator Jim Banks (R-IN). As of this writing, the text has not been released, but it seems the bill would make it an unfair labor practice to hire or unionize an unauthorized worker. While the goal is understandable, it is already illegal to hire unauthorized workers, so the bill will do nothing to address illegal immigration. Instead, it will likely result in unions filing frivolous ULPs against employers alleging they employ undocumented workers. A far cleaner, shorter, and easier way to accomplish Senator Banks’ goal would be to simply amend the definition of employee under Section 2(3) of the NLRA to exclude any undocumented worker.
Sen. Cassidy’s reforms acknowledge the evolving nature of work. By modernizing outdated statutes, the bills aim to create a labor framework that supports innovation, worker freedom, and economic growth. As the Senator noted, the goal is simple: improve the voice, choice, and rights of workers while fostering collaboration between labor and business to drive prosperity.
Although the Teamsters union has already attacked the package, it is all about ensuring fairness, transparency, and stability for all stakeholders in today’s dynamic labor market. It’s a series of reforms that are long overdue.
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About the author
Sean P. Redmond
Sean P. Redmond is Vice President, Labor Policy at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
