RMA backs class action reform bill

WASHINGTON (March 18)—The Rubber Manufacturers Association is part of a coalition backing a bill designed to reform the class action lawsuit system in the U.S. Introduced in the Senate Feb. 4 and in the House of Representatives March 6, the Class Action Fairness Act would automatically move interstate class actions to federal from state courts whenever the collective amount in dispute exceeded $2 million, and would curtail trial lawyers' ability to target state court systems friendly to class actions. Too many trial lawyers are more interested in personal gain than in achieving equitable settlements for class action members, said Ann Wilson, RMA senior vice president-government.