Topeka ? The House approved a bill Monday that labor organizations say would give employers the upper hand in settling workers’ claims.

House Bill 2531 was approved 85-36 and now goes to the Senate for consideration.

Currently, the Kansas Chamber of Commerce and Kansas AFL-CIO make appointments to a nominating committee that picks administrative law judges in disputed workers’ compensation and unemployment claims cases

Under 2531,business groups would be guaranteed nominating six positions on a seven-member board that picks the administrative law judges. Organized labor would make the remaining pick.

State Rep. Jim Ward, D-Wichita, said the bill rigs the process and denies workers a fair hearing.

Republicans said the new system would broaden the number of organizations nominating judges.