Schakowsky statement on Epic Systems v. Lewis decision

"In a narrow 5-4 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court today took basic freedoms away from America’s working men and women, denying them the right to stand together to challenge corporations that deny fair wages and safe workplaces. In Epic Systems v. Lewis, companies argued that they should be allowed to require mandatory arbitration as a condition of employment – essentially taking away workers’ right to a day in court against an unscrupulous employer. In a democracy, individuals should be able to hold wrongdoers accountable. Instead, 5 of the 9 Supreme Court justices decided that the judicial system should be rigged to force individual arbitration, protect lawbreakers by weakening enforcement, and make it harder for workers to protect their rights.

“Workers deserve good wages, good benefits, respect on the job, and an end to job-based harassment – and they deserved better than today’s decision. The U.S. Supreme Court didn’t stand up for working families today, but I will fight to make sure that Congress does.”