Flowers Foods, Inc., et al., Petitioners v. Angelo Brock

The Supreme Court said a worker can qualify for the Federal Arbitration Act's Section 1 exemption even if he never crosses state lines and never interacts with vehicles that cross borders. The case asked whether local delivery workers handling goods that moved in interstate commerce can still be treated as transportation workers under that exemption.

The Court ruled that someone can qualify as a worker under the Section 1 exemption even if he never crosses state lines and never interacts with vehicles that cross borders. The vote and opinion lineup are not provided here.

Majority

Gorsuch

Roberts

Thomas

Alito

Sotomayor

Kagan

Barrett

Kavanaugh

Jackson

The decision affects companies that rely on arbitration clauses and workers who make only local deliveries of goods that moved across state lines. For example, a driver who delivers goods only within one state may still argue that the Federal Arbitration Act does not require private arbitration.

Lower courts now must apply this rule in disputes over arbitration agreements involving delivery work. Employers and workers will likely revisit contracts and pending cases to see who is exempt from the Federal Arbitration Act.

The Court said a worker can qualify for the Federal Arbitration Act's Section 1 exemption without crossing state lines or using border-crossing vehicles.

Local delivery workers and companies that use arbitration clauses are most affected. Some workers may keep their claims in court instead of private arbitration.

Lower courts must now apply the Supreme Court's reading of the Federal Arbitration Act. Employers and workers will likely reexamine contracts in delivery-related jobs.