Supreme Court: Last-Mile Drivers Part of Interstate Commerce Can Sue Employers

Key Details The Supreme Court unanimously ruled that delivery workers operating entirely within one state can still be classified as interstate workers if they're part of a larger interstate supply chain. This landmark decision in Brock v. Flowers Foods means these workers can pursue lawsuits against employers rather than being forced into arbitration. Why It Matters The case involved Angelo Brock, a franchise delivery driver for Flowers Foods in Denver who never crossed state lines. He challenged a mandatory arbitration clause in his franchise agreement after a pay dispute. The ruling gives intrastate workers a legal pathway to court, potentially opening the door to class action lawsuits that employers typically avoid through arbitration agreements. What Changed Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that the Federal Arbitration Act doesn't require enforcement of all arbitration agreements, particularly when workers are part of interstate commerce. Companies prefer arbitration because individual grievances can't expand into costly class actions. This decision shifts some leverage back to workers in contractual disputes. The Bottom Line If you're a delivery driver moving products across state lines - even if your personal routes stay local - you may have stronger legal rights than your employment contract suggests. The Supreme Court has clarified that your role in the bigger transportation picture matters more than your individual mileage.