What happened?

Millions of American workers who sign employment contracts are already barred from class-action lawsuits under their current agreements. Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, along with Reps. Bobby Scott of Virginia and Jerry Nadler of New York, reintroduced the Restoring Justice for Workers Act (S. 5190), a bill that would ban mandatory pre-dispute arbitration agreements and block employers from requiring workers to give up their right to sue as a group. [](#ngr-4ae2e713-e6d3-4729-8ae6-bb5161fb1213)

The bill is one of several Congress labor policy fights landing on lawmakers' plates this fall. The Senate also confirmed two new members to the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB), the federal agency that referees disputes between workers and employers, on Aug. 7. James Macy and David Prouty were confirmed 51-47, with Macy serving through August 2030 and Prouty through August 2031.

Why Does it Matter to Me?

Many workers sign arbitration agreements when they start a job, sometimes buried in onboarding paperwork. Those agreements can require any dispute, including claims of wage theft, discrimination, or harassment, to be settled privately rather than in court, and they often prevent workers from joining together in a class-action suit.

The Restoring Justice for Workers Act would make those agreements unenforceable before a dispute even arises. Workers could still choose arbitration after a problem occurs, but employers could not require it upfront as a condition of employment.

Separately, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) updated a program targeting heat-related hazards across 55 industries, including manufacturing, construction, agriculture, warehousing, transportation, landscaping, and waste collection. That program directs federal inspections toward high-risk workplaces and is set to run for five years.

Both sides, now

Supporters of the arbitration bill, all Democrats, argue that mandatory arbitration clauses strip workers of their legal rights before a dispute even starts. The Senate bill has 16 cosponsors beyond Murray.

Opponents of such restrictions, typically business groups and Republican lawmakers, argue that arbitration resolves disputes faster and at lower cost than litigation. No Republican sponsors are listed on the bill.

The bill was introduced by Democrats in the minority, meaning Republicans who control the Senate's agenda would need to schedule it for a vote. The Senate does not return for legislative business until Sept. 14.

What happens next?

The Senate's compressed fall calendar leaves limited time before midterm elections. With the chamber not back in session until Sept. 14, the bill faces a tight window for any floor action.

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