The DeKalb County Board of Commissioners passed a landmark ordinance that prohibits forced arbitration clauses in agreements between prime and subcontractors doing business with DeKalb County, according to a press release.
Prior to the passage of this legislation, prime contractors were able to use their unequal bargaining power to force small businesses to sign away their right to pursue a claim in a court of law if a dispute arose.
“This legislation levels the playing field between prime and subcontractors and helps ensure that small businesses doing business with DeKalb County are treated fairly. A small business should not be forced to give up its right to a jury trial in order to work for DeKalb County,” said District 5 Commissioner Mereda Davis Johnson, who sponsored the ordinance.
“I am proud to have passed this precedent-setting, first-of-its-kind local legislation, and I hope similar ordinances are adopted nationwide, because small businesses are the backbone of our nation’s economy,” Johnson said.
Information: www.commissionermeredajohnson.com.
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