10.2190/DDWT-0X1A-NNT3-JRA9 DDWT0X1ANNT3JRA9 4 After the Gilmer Decision: Effectiveness of Arbitration Clauses in Employment Contracts 323 334 20020509 20020509 20020509 20020509 DDWT0X1ANNT3JRA9.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=DDWT0X1ANNT3JRA9 4 Martha S. Weisel Hofstra University, Hempstead, New York Agreements between an employer and employee often contain a provision stating that the individual parties will settle disputes through the use of arbitration. These agreements can cause difficulties later when an employee who believes the employer has not complied with the law takes a case to the courts rather than seek arbitration—and the employer asks that the court refuse to hear the matter. It had been hoped that the U.S. Supreme Court—in the celebrated <i>Gilmer</i> decision—would give a clear red or green light to the use of employment contracts to waive the right to a judicial forum. The high court's signal gives a yellow light. <i>Gilmer v. Interstate/Johnson Lane Corp.</i>, ___U.S.___, 111 S.Ct. 1647, 114 L.Ed.2d 26 (1991). Older Workers Protection Act, 1990 P.L. 101-423. Federal Arbitration Act, 9 U.S.C. <i>et seq.</i> (1925). <i>Mitsubishi Motor Corp. v. Soler Chrysler-Plymouth, Inc.</i>, 473 U.S. 614, 105 S.Ct. 3346, 87 L.Ed.2d. 444 (1985). <i>Shearson/American Express Inv. v. McMahon</i>, 482 U.S. 220, 107 S.Ct. 1917, 104 L.Ed. 2d 526 (1987). Hearing on S.4213 and S.4214 before a sub-committee of the Senate Comm. on the Judiciary, 67 Congress, 4th Session, 9 (1923). <i>American Postal Workers Union v. U.S. Postal Service</i>, 823 F.2d 466 (1987). <i>Signal-Stat Corp. v. Local 475, United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America</i>, 253 F2d 298, (1956), <i>cert. den.</i>, 354 U.S. 911, 77 S.Ct. 1293, 1 L.Ed. 2d 1428 (1957). <i>United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America v. Miller Metal Products, Inc.</i>, 215 F.2d 221 (1954). <i>Textile Workers Union v. Lincoln Mills</i>, 353 U.S. 448, 77 S.Ct. 912, 1 L.Ed.2d 972 (1957). <i>Miller Brewing Co. v. Brewery Workers Local Union No. 9</i>, 739 F.2d 1159 (1984), <i>cert. den.</i> 469 U.S. 1160, 105 S.Ct. 912, 83 L.Ed.2d 926 (1985). <i>United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers v. Miller Metal Products</i>, 215 F.2d 221 (1954). <i>Hydrick v. Management Recruiters Intern., Inc.</i>, 738 F.Supp. 1434 (1990). <i>Alexander v. Gardiner-Denver Co.</i>, 415 U.S. 36, 94 S.Ct. 1011, 39 L.Ed.2d 147 (1974). <i>Alford v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.</i>, 905 F.2d 104 (1990) (citing Alexander). <i>Barrentine v. Arkansas-Best Freight System, Inc.</i>, 450 U.S. 728, 101 S.Ct. 1437, 67 L.Ed.2d 641 (1981). <i>McDonald v. City of West Branch</i>, 466 U.S. 284, 104 S.Ct. 1799, 80 L.Ed.2d 302 (1984). <i>Alford v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.</i>, ___U.S.___ 111 S.Ct.2050, 114 L.Ed.2d 456 (1991). <i>Alford v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc.</i>, 939 F.2d 229 (1991). <i>Laniok v. Advisory Committee</i>, 935 F.2d 1360 (1991). <i>Lancaster v. Buerkle Buick Honda Co.</i>, 809 F.2d 539, <i>cert. den.</i> ___U.S.___, 107 S.Ct. 178, 96 L.Ed.2d 699 (1987). <i>Runyon v. National Cash Register Corp.</i>, 787 F.2d 1039, note 10, <i>cert. den.</i> 479 U.S. 850, 107 S.Ct. 178, 93 L.Ed.2d 114 (1986). <i>Civillo v. Arco Chemical Co.</i>, 862 F.2d 448 (1988); <i>Coventry v. U.S. Steel Corp.</i>, 856 F.2d 514 (1988). <i>Stroman v. West Coast Grocery Co.</i>, 884 F.2d 458 (1989); <i>Bormann v. A.T.&T. Comm., Inc., cert. den.</i> ___U.S.___, 110 S.Ct. 292, 107 L.Ed.2d 272 (1989). <i>Torrez v. Public Service Co. of New Mexico, Inc.</i>, 908 F.2d 687 (1990). <i>Wright v. Southwestern Bell Telephone Co.</i>, 925 F.2d 1288 (1991). Older Workers Protection Act, P.L. 101-423, 1990.