Determining whether a collective bargaining agreement provides for the arbitration of an alleged violation of the agreement
In the Matter of Wilson Cent. Sch. Dist. (Wilson Teachers' Assn.), 2016 NY Slip Op 04866, Appellate Division, Fourth Department
The Wilson Central School District appealed Supreme Court’s decision denying its CPLR Article 75 petition to stay the arbitration of a grievance concerning the transfer of a physical education teacher from its high school to its elementary school and granted the Wilson Teachers’ Association’s cross petition to compel arbitration.
The Appellate Division unanimously affirmed the lower court’s ruling.
The sole issue to be resolved in this appeal, explained the Appellate Division, is whether the parties "have agreed to arbitrate the dispute at issue" pursuant to their collective bargaining agreement (CBA).” A court’s review of that question, however, is limited.
Holding that Supreme Court “properly determined that, because the CBA contains a broad arbitration clause, and there is a reasonable relationship between the subject matter of the dispute, i.e., the transfer of a teacher to another position, and the general subject matter of the CBA," whether the grievance falls within the scope of the arbitration provision set out in the CBA is for the arbitrator, and not the court, to determine.
The decision is posted on the Internet at: