Timely filing of a grievance

Timely filing of a grievance
Hill v NYC Board of Ed., 258 AD2d 462

A collective bargaining agreement provided that an employee must file a grievance “within a reasonable period not to exceed 75 days following the action complained of.” The agreement also provided that an arbitration panel “shall be without power or authority to make any decision ... contrary to, or inconsistent with, or modifying or varying in any way, the terms of this agreement....”

Stanley W. Hill filed a grievance that involved various events, some of which were less than 75 days old and some of which were more than 75 days old. The arbitration panel assumed jurisdiction, ruling that the 75-day period of limitations ran from “when the grievant ‘discovered’ the infraction.” It then upheld Hill’s grievance.

The Board of Education filed an Article 75 petition [Article 75, Civil Practice Law and Rules] seeking to have the award vacated on the grounds that the arbitration panel “exceeded an express limitation of its powers.” This is one of the few grounds set out in Article 75 that would allow a court to vacate an arbitration award.

The Appellate Division sustained the board’s determination. However, the court noted that part of the award covered a portion of the grievance that was filed within the Statute of Limitations. It confirmed that portion of the award. However, the court vacated the rest -- all redress based on events occurring more than 75 days prior to his filing of his grievance.
NYPPL