Unions were instrumental in creating the American middle class and today they continue to empower millions of Americans to bargain for wages and benefits that are capable of sustaining a middle-class standard of living. Newly formed unions have only one year to reach agreement on a first contract with their employer. Thus, unscrupulous employers often negotiate first contracts in bad faith, hoping to delay a collective bargaining agreement until the new union loses its certification. The Labor Relations First Contract Negotiations Act amends the National Labor Relations Act to require employees and their employer to submit to mediation if a collective bargaining agreement is not reached 60 days after a new union is certified. If mediation, which does not require parties to submit to a mediator’s decision, does not result in a collective bargaining agreement 30 days later, either the employer or the employees may seek binding arbitration.