Reply #27: FALSE headline. They are voiding them BECAUSE they signed that

[uppityperson]

From OP article:

BP never intended for them to relinquish their right to sue the company. That is not what the document said. The document was merely a standard safety waiver - not a work contract, Kinnaird said.

"I am sitting her right now tearing them up and putting them in the trash," Kinnaird said. More than 400 captains had signed documents allowing BP to lease their vessels. "It was just a standard waiver, something the lawyers like. But it just caused so many problems."

That does not mean that BP won't use local fishermen in its cleanup. BP still has their contact information, along with information about their vessels. As soon as the winds die down, BP will begin hiring vessels and crew. There will be a contract that spells out how much BP will pay, but fishermen will not be asked to waive their right to sue BP, Kinnaird said.