Unions Use Contract Wins to Make Up for Congress’ Long Inaction

A series of recent union wins that improved wages and working conditions for hundreds of thousands of workers remains undercut by congressional stagnation on federal labor laws.

The United Auto Workers, the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and unions representing workers in industries ranging from hospitality to health care to Hollywood reached landmark contract deals that have reverberated through the economy. Wall Street executives are talking about unions more than ever, and organized labor is riding on a decades-high approval rating.

Organized labor’s momentum stands in contrast to Congress, which has been unable to update labor laws and workplace standards for ...