Feingold, Johnson Introduce The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007!
The comprehensive legislation amends the Federal Arbitration Act to ensure Americans are not forced into mandatory arbitration agreements in employment, consumer, franchise or civil disputes.  Arbitration victims gathered in the background as Senator Feingold expressed his passion for the cause that began almost ten years ago.

Feingold, Johnson Introduce The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007!

July 13, 10:30am

In a packed room in the Capitol, members of the Give Me Back My Rights Coalition joined Senator Russ Feingold (D, WI) and Representative Hank Johnson (D, GA) as they introduced the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007.   The comprehensive legislation amends the Federal Arbitration Act to ensure Americans are not forced into mandatory arbitration agreements in employment, consumer, franchise or civil disputes.  Arbitration victims gathered in the background as Senator Feingold expressed his passion for the cause that began almost ten years ago.  Sally Greenberg of Consumers Union discussed the hypocrisy of the car dealer industry for fighting and securing a ban on unfair binding arbitration clauses in their agreements with car manufacturers five years ago, yet they still include these same agreements with their customers.  Next, Joan Claybrook, President of Public Citizen, attested to the unfairness of arbitration and expressed concern for the rights of consumers.  Jordan Fogal told her moving story of being denied access to the courts when her home accrued up to $150,000 worth of repairs.  After four years of anguish in two rounds of arbitration, the arbitrator ruled that the builder had committed fraud and awarded Jordan $26,000.  However; the arbitration procedure alone cost her $30,000.  For too long, corporations have hidden behind arbitration agreements to evade responsibility for negligent actions and abusive practices.  The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007 will ensure that Americans’ seventh amendment rights to a trial by jury are no longer curtailed.  As Jordan Fogal poignantly concluded, “If arbitration is so wonderful…then why is it mandatory?”  Americans deserve better.

Urge Congress to Support the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007
http://www.peopleoverprofits.org/site/c.ntJWJ8MPIqE/b.2229559/k.BF8D/Home.htm