Proposed Arbitration Bill Would Give Consumers Their Day in Court

Dan Deuterman

Contributor

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Senator Russ Feingold (D-WI) and Rep. Hank Johnson (D-GA) have introduced legislation in Congress that would put an end to forced arbitration and allow consumers to take their complaints against employers, car dealerships, credit card companies and insurance companies and HMOs to court.

I urge you to support The Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007.

Arbitration is often billed as a less costly option than going to court, but Public Citizen discovered just the opposite. What's more, mandatory arbitration typically doesn't end up being a good deal for consumers, who are often forced in accepting unfair settlements that are not in their best interests.

If the Act becomes law, it will offer consumers the same protection afforded car dealers and other businesses.

Precedent was established five years ago, when Congress said car manufacturers could not force automobile dealers into binding arbitation. The Feingold-Johnson bill now allows consumers the same protection.

Along with members of the Givemebackmyrights.org campaign, U.S. Public Iinterest Research Group supports the legislation.

People over Profits has a grassroots online campaign urging consumers to contact their members of Congress to support the Act.