Document: 466 U.S. 284 104 S.Ct. 1799 80 L.Ed.2d 302 Gary McDONALD, Petitioner,v.CITY OF WEST BRANCH, MICHIGAN, et al. No. 83-219. Supreme Court of the United States Argued Feb. 27, 1984. Decided April 18, Syllabus When petitioner was discharged from respondent city's police force, he filed a grievance pursuant to collective-bargaining agreement between city and labor union, contending that there "no proper cause" for his discharge. The ultimately taken arbitration, arbitrator ruled against petitioner, finding just cause Petitioner did not appeal this decision, but an action in Federal District under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 certain its officials, including Chief Police, alleging exercising First Amendment rights freedom speech, association, petition government redress grievances. jury returned verdict Police favor other defendants. Appeals reversed judgment holding petitioner's claims were barred by res judicata collateral estoppel. Held: In action, federal court should afford or estoppel effect award arbitration proceeding brought terms agreement, hence award. Pp. 287-292. (a) Title 28 1738—which provides "judicial proceedings" any State shall have same full faith credit every within as they law usage courts such which are taken—does require preclusive be given question. Arbitration is proceeding" and, therefore, 1738 does apply awards. 287-288. (b) Although well suited resolving contractual disputes, it cannot provide adequate substitute judicial protecting statutory constitutional designed safeguard. As result, according subsequent would undermine statute's efficacy rights. This conclusion supported facts may expertise resolve complex legal questions arise actions authority enforce 1983; union's usual exclusive control over procedures result employee's loss opportunity compensated deprivation merely because interest press vigorously; arbitral factfinding generally equivalent factfinding. 288-292. 709 F.2d 1505 (6th Cir.1983), remanded. David J. Achtenberg, Kansas City, Mo., petitioner. Richard G. Smith, Bay Mich., respondents. Justice BRENNAN delivered opinion Court. 1 question presented whether accord unappealed case statute.1 unpublished opinion, Sixth Circuit held awards effect. We granted certiorari, 464 813, 66, 78 81 (1983), now reverse. 2 * On November 26, 1976, McDonald, then West Branch, officer, discharged. McDonald force Branch Steelworkers America (the Union), discharge, that, discharge violated agreement.2 After preliminary steps procedure had been exhausted, arbitration. however, 3 arbitrator's decision. Subsequently, Paul Longstreet.3 complaint, alleged grievances.4 tried Longstreet, remaining 4 appeal, Longstreet. (1983). reasoned parties agreed settle their disputes through process considered reasons McDonald's Finding abused, concluded estoppel.5 II A. 5 At outset, we must consider obligated statute collateral-estoppel Respondents contend Full Faith Credit Statute, 1738, requires give 6 Our cases establish obliges state-court rendering judgment. See, e.g., Migra v. Warren City School Board Education, 465 75, 81, 892, 896, 79 56 (1984); Kremer Chemical Construction Corp., 456 461, 466, 102 1883, 1889, 72 262 (1982). explained Kremer, "[a] rbitration decisions . subject mandate 1738." Id., at 477, S.Ct., 1894. follows plain language pertinent part proceedings [of State] Territories Possessions taken." (Emphasis added.)6 awards.7 B 7 Because required award, rule preclusion necessarily judicially fashioned. therefore appropriate fashion rule. 8 two previous occasions has contention preclude suit court. both instances rejected claim. 9 Alexander Gardner-Denver Co., 415 36, 94 1011, 39 147 (1974), VII Civil Rights Act 1964 employee who unsuccessfully claimed racially motivated. protested claim foreclosed decision him.8 addition, declined adopt defer on discrimination when "(i) before arbitrator; (ii) prohibited form charged VII; (iii) remedy." 55-56, 1023. 10 Similarly, Barrentine Arkansas-Best Freight System, Inc., 450 728, 101 1437, 67 641 (1981), fellow submitted wage Nevertheless, precluded based underlying violation minimum provisions Fair Labor Standards Act. 745-746, 1447. 11 rejection our deferral large Congress intended statutes issue those enforceable could adjudicating statutes. U.S., 740-746, 1444-1447; 56-60, 1023-25. These considerations similarly find doctrines inapplicable action. 12 creates is, course, no enforceable. Indeed, Mitchum Foster, 407 225, 242, 92 2151, 2162, 32 705 (1972), "[t]he very purpose interpose people, guardians people's rights—to protect people unconstitutional color state law." See also Patsy Florida Regents, 457 496, 503, 2557, 2561, 73 172 And, although compel need only briefly reiterate support conclusion. 13 First, "pertains primarily shop, land." Gardner-Denver, supra, 57, 1024. An not, actions.9 14 Second, derives solely contract, Barrentine, 744, 1446, 1983. Gardner-Denver: "The general invoke public laws conflict with bargain parties. If 'solely upon view requirements enacted legislation,' rather than interpretation 'exceeded scope submission,' will enforced." 53, 1022, quoting Enterprise Wheel & Car 363 593, 597, 1358, 1361, 1424 (1960). guaranteed agreement. 43, 1017. 15 Third, when, usually case,10 union "manner extent individual presented," 58, n. 19, 1024 additional reason why inadequate proceedings. interests always identical even compatible. present less vigorously, make different strategic choices, employee. 1024, 19; 742, 1445. Thus, accorded effect, might lost vigorously. 16 Finally, record complete; rules evidence do apply; common civil trials, discovery, compulsory process, cross-examination, testimony oath, often severely limited unavailable." 57-58, It apparent, trial.11 Consequently, protection provide.12 hold agreement.13 17 reversed, remanded further consistent opinion. 18 so ordered. part: "Every person who, statute, ordinance, regulation, custom, usage, subjects, causes subjected, citizen jurisdiction thereof rights, privileges, immunities secured Constitution laws, liable party injured law, equity, redress." Section 3.0 Article III Union provided "Among powers, authority, duties responsibilities continue vested wholly inclusive list them, be: right suspend employees cause." addition complaint named following officials defendants: Acting Manager Bernard Olson, Attorney Charles Jennings, Demetre Ellias. defendant, claiming breached state-law duty represent him fairly. exercise pendent deprived property without due law. jury, Earlier Term, noted various phrases used describe effects former judgments. 75 (1984). "res judicata" "collateral estoppel," convenient use these case, utilize term refer merits barring privies Parklane Hosiery Co. Shore, 439 322, 326, 5, 99 645, 649, 58 552 (1979). By contrast, "[u]nder estoppel, once decided fact necessary judgment, relitigation involving first case." Allen McCurry, 449 90, 94, 411, 414, 66 308 (1980). complete text provides: Acts legislature State, Territory, Possession States, copies thereof, authenticated affixing seal Territory thereto. records Possession, proved admitted attestation clerk annexed, if exists, together certificate judge said form. "Such Acts, authenticated, applies legislatures courts. 6, supra. obviously falls into neither categories. election remedies waiver, "the policy favoring disputes." 46, 1018. none justified preclusion, rejecting waiver context equally applicable estoppel." 49, 10, 1020, 10. many arbitrators lawyers. 743, (1981); 18. amici AFL—CIO note commonly prepared non-lawyers." Brief Amici Curiae inform us most agreements "controls access arbitrator, strategy tactics how nature relief sought, actual presentation 7. diminishing detrimental process. Were adopted, aware believed effectively bypass 59, 1025. application stating dispute private means arbitration." similar contentions. 51-52, 1021; 736-746, 1442-47. For example, argument provision waived bring found unpersuasive, concluding conferred [by VII] can since defeat paramount congressional behind VII." 51, 1021. gravely effectiveness 1983, reject Appeals' reliance deference Consistent cases: "We standards weight determined court's discretion regard circumstances each case. Relevant factors include existence conform substantially [the constitution], degree procedural fairness forum, adequacy respect [in proceeding], special competence particular arbitrators. Where determination gives consideration [statutory constitutional] properly great weight. especially true where one fact, specifically addressed basis record. But ever mindful thought forum ultimate resolution [these] claims. assure availability forum." 60, 21, 1025 21. 743-744, 22, 1446 22.

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