House passes pro-union bill after 20 Republicans defy party

Washington — House Democrats, with the help of several Republicans, bypassed GOP leadership on Tuesday to force a successful vote on legislation that would accelerate negotiations on newly-formed unions' first collective bargaining agreements. The legislation, titled the Faster Labor Contracts Act , was introduced in September by Democratic Rep. Donald Norcross of New Jersey. It passed in a 230 to 193 vote, with 20 Republicans voting in favor. …