Golden State Today

California Attorney General Rob Bonta praised a recent unanimous decision by the U.S. Supreme Court in favor of transportation workers. The decision in Bissonnette v. LePage Bakeries Park St., LLC, et al. clarified that transportation workers do not need to be employed in the transportation industry to be exempt from arbitration requirements under the Federal Arbitration Act (FAA).

“The Supreme Court got this one right, recognizing today that transportation workers are not required to arbitrate their employment-related grievances," said Attorney General Bonta. 

Bonta, who joined a multistate coalition supporting the petitioners in the case, emphasized the significance of the decision for over 1.5 million transportation workers in California. He stated, “today’s decision ensures that they will not be forced into arbitration agreements that are detrimental to their interests. My office will continue to fight for the rights and dignity of all workers.”

The FAA, initially passed in 1925, aimed to address judicial resistance to arbitration agreements. However, over the years, the Supreme Court expanded the scope of the FAA, leading to increased pressure on workers to sign arbitration agreements as a condition of employment. This situation has resulted in the under-enforcement of workers’ rights, with California employers annually benefiting from $851 million due to arbitration agreements discouraging claims.

With California being home to a significant number of transportation workers, including around 312,080 truck drivers in various industries, the recent Supreme Court decision is seen as a crucial step in safeguarding their access to the courts. By clarifying the exemption under the FAA, the decision reduces the risk of workers being unfairly diverted to arbitration and abandoning their claims.

In November, Attorney General Bonta, along with attorneys general from several states, filed an amicus brief arguing for the exemption of transportation workers from the FAA. The decision by the Supreme Court marks a victory for transportation workers across the country, ensuring their rights and access to justice.