Halliburton Wields Mandatory Arbitration to Squelch Would-Be Whistleblowers

[CorpGovActivist]

As some who have followed the Halliburton/KBR gang rape story know, http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=halliburton+arbitration">Halliburton's (mis)use of the Federal arbitration law has been a critical and criticized factor.

The Halliburton/KBR employment application - a copy of which I still have - includes language requiring the signatory/applicant to acknowledge (and agree to abide by) the arbitration program.

Twice, Halliburton/KBR tried to entice me to leave my contractor status and come onto their payroll.

Understanding the consequences of the signature on the application, I didn't sign. As a result, I am not bound by it (and - as senior staffers on the Hill have made clear - the statutes of limitations are still very much intact thru the next Administration).

I http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=halliburton+mandatory+arbitration+waxman">applaud Chairman Waxman and others for looking into appropriate modifications to this law.

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

1. The Halliburton Employee Stock Purchase Program in Place at the Time...

... would have allowed me to http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=halliburton+employee+stock+purchase">pick up shares at a significant discount to their already low price; right http://finance.yahoo.com/q/bc?s=HAL&t=my&l=off&z=m&q=l&c=">now, they're trading at more than 4 times the discounted price, even after a stock split.

Contractors were ineligible for the program.

- Dave

[CorpGovActivist]

2. Senate and House Judiciary Hold Halliburton's Arbitration Abuses up As Poster Child

http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/html/uscode09/usc_sup_01_9.html">The Federal Arbitration Act is the law in question.

In both the Senate (S 1782) and House (HR 3010) members have introduced a bill called the http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=arbitration+fairness+act+2007">Arbitration Fairness Act of 2007.

Hearings were held earlier this (oops, last) year in the http://judiciary.house.gov/hearings.aspx?ID=184">House and http://judiciary.senate.gov/hearing.cfm?id=3055">Senate.

Citing http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=arbitration+fairness+halliburton">Halliburton's arbitration abuses - which have been brought to senior Hill staffers' attention by multiple sources - the lawmakers stand a good chance of significantly re-writing this old law.

Happy New Year to all!

- Dave