Virginia consumers frustrated by arbitration clauses in Federal claims against powerful corporations may get relief soon. Yesterday, the Department of Defense Appropriations bill was amended by a provision to limit forced arbitration in employment contracts with defense contractors. The vote was 68-30, and now moves on to a conference committee for reconciliation with the House version.
The Defense Appropriations bill may seem an odd place for consumers to begin getting relief, but that is a function of the fact that claims against defense contractors are more likely to be large, and the injustice arising from forced pre-injury arbitration more stark. For example, there is the case of Jamie Leigh Jones, who after being drugged, raped, and confined in Iraq tried to pursue a lawsuit against her employer. She was denied due to a forced arbitration clause.
Jamie Leigh Jones is testifying today in support of the bipartisan Arbitration Fairness Act (S. 931 / H.R. 1020). The Act would ensure that the decision to arbitrate is made voluntarily and after a dispute has arisen, so corporations cannot manipulate the system in their favor at the expense of consumers and employees.
Virginia has an Arbitration Act that strongly favors arbitration clauses, even if they are buried in small print in the back of a contract. If you don't think its fair for companies to slip these into their contracts with consumers, let your state Senator or Delegate know you want change.
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