Limiting the selection of arbitrators
Suffolk County PBA v Suffolk County, 273 AD2d 222
Suffolk County adopted a resolution [Resolution 377-1998] barring arbitrators who have served in labor disputes involving Nassau County within the preceding three years to serve in disputes under collective bargaining agreements voluntarily submitted to arbitration or in binding arbitration.
Suffolk County PBA challenged the resolution, contending that it violated both the terms of a collective bargaining agreement [CBA] between it and the county and the Taylor Law. State Supreme Court Judge Jack J. Cannavo, agreed and ruled that the resolution was invalid.
The county appealed and the Appellate Division overturned the lower court’s decision. The Appellate Division held that the CBA and the Suffolk County Administrative Code, which was substantially equivalent to the Taylor Law, both contained binding arbitration provisions permitting Suffolk County to select arbitrators at its own discretion.
Pointing out that the county could exercise its discretion in selecting arbitrators, the Appellate Division declared that the PBA lacks standing to assert that the resolution is arbitrary or capricious, or that the Suffolk County Legislature did not possess the authority to determine how Suffolk County should select its arbitrators.
The court also commented that in contrast to the PBA’s contention, the resolution did not prohibit an arbitrator from making comparisons between Nassau and Suffolk County to determine arbitration issues.