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By now, you’ve probably heard about the story of Jamie Leigh Jones. In 2005, she was working for a Halliburton subsidiary in Iraq when she was gang-raped by coworkers. Four years later, Jamie is still being denied justice.
Jamie can’t pursue justice in criminal court because the rape took place overseas, and a forced arbitration clause in her contract takes away her right to file a lawsuit in the U.S. Big corporations, led by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, have worked for years to prevent workers from suing their employers in almost any circumstance, even sexual assault, by inserting forced arbitration language into their contracts. No one should ever be forced into arbitration just by taking a job.
Sign our petition telling the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to stop opposing the rights of rape and discrimination victims!
Concerned activists like you helped urge lawmakers to pass Sen. Al Franken’s (D-Minn.) amendment to the Department of Defense Appropriations Bill (H.R. 3326). The Franken Amendment would prevent defense contractors from requiring their employees to sign away their rights, ending once-and-for-all the practice of covering up sexual assault and discrimination claims by forcing them into arbitration.
But, shockingly, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is fighting the Franken Amendment. It sent a letter to Congress saying that it would “set a dangerous precedent” to allow rape victims into court. Sign our petition telling the U.S. Chamber of Commerce to stop opposing the rights of victims of rape and discrimination! Go to http://www.fairarbitrationnow.org.
Jamie has teamed up with organizations like Public Citizen, MoveOn.org, and others to end this injustice. Congress is still finalizing the defense appropriations bill, and considering whether to keep the Franken Amendment. Meanwhile the U.S. Chamber of Commerce is waging a massive lobbying campaign.
Don’t let the Chamber of Commerce kill the Franken Amendment! Stand up for victims of sexual assault and discrimination. Then, forward this petition to your friends so we can deliver a strong message to the Chamber of Commerce and Congress.
stephen verchinski
Why our generals have a continued aversion to due process is typical. I can believe a group such as the Chamber of Commerce continues to work against the rights of persons but will support predatory corporate behavior. Where is their outrage when the public gets screwed and the CEO’s CFO’s and Boards of Directors that were responsible for oversight still get to keep thier jobs?
I support Jamie Leigh Jones and her continued struggle to get justice and Senator Franken for taking up this good fight.
December 5, 2009 at 9:36 am
Rich Riggs
Arbitration is a shortcut that is designed to save the companies money at the employees expense. Further, as the arbitrators attitudes are known to the companies that select them only those with a pro company position will endure so again the employee is at a disadvantage. Therefore if the system isn’t fair at the start the employee will not get a proper hearing or judgement. The Chambers of Comerce support corporations, that is where they derive their members and money. What position do you expect them to take? All arbitration clauses must be removed. All disputes must be settled in fair courts. The price of injustice is too high for any society to endure.
December 5, 2009 at 10:26 am
Lionel Issen
There is an old law that was passed during the Franklin Roosvelt administration, that abolished yellow dog contracts [when hiired a worker had to sign a contract that they would not join a union, and if they joined a union they would be immediately discharged.]
This law might be used to prevent compulsory arbitration.
Did any of Jamie’s lawyers mention this in the lawsuit?
December 5, 2009 at 11:30 am
Lionel Issen
There is an old law that was passed during the Franklin Roosvelt administration, that abolished yellow dog contracts [when hiired a worker had to sign a contract that they would not join a union, and if they joined a union they would be immediately discharged.]
This law might be used to prevent compulsory arbitration.
Did any of Jamie’s lawyers mention this in the lawsuit?
December 5, 2009 at 11:31 am
Francis Hagan
The Chamber supports corporate crooks along with fair corporations. The Chamber doesn’t care what corporations do, but to hell with individual people!
December 7, 2009 at 3:57 pm