Opinion ID: 539929
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: The District Court's Confirmation of the NJAB Award

Text: 32 This panel will not second guess the decision of the arbitrator. George Day Constr. Co. v. United Bhd. of Carpenters, 722 F.2d 1471, 1476-77 (9th Cir.1986). Where the decision involves contractual interpretation, we must defer as to any decision which draws its essence from the agreement. Id. at 1477. If the award on its face represents a plausible interpretation of the contract, judicial inquiry ceases and the award must be enforced. Id.; see Holly Sugar Corp. v. Distillery, Rectifying, Wine & Allied Workers Int'l Union, 412 F.2d 899, 903 (9th Cir.1969); Desert Palace, Inc. v. Local Joint Executive Bd., 679 F.2d 789, 791 (9th Cir.1982) (The scope of review of an arbitration award is limited to whether the award 'draws its essence from the collective bargaining agreement' and does not 'manifest an infidelity' to the agreement.) (quoting United Steel Workers v. Enterprise Wheel & Car Corporation, 363 U.S. 593, 597, 80 S.Ct. 1358, 1361, 4 L.Ed.2d 1424 (1960)). 33 The NJAB panel found that all procedural requirements had been met, and the matter was properly before it. As we have previously discussed, this is accurate. The NJAB panel found that Jason was a signatory to the standard agreement and addenda, and that prior to the expiration of the agreement, the parties were unable to agree upon a new contract. This is not disputed. Jason was given an opportunity to submit arguments to the NJAB, but failed to do so. Article X, section 8 of the agreement gives the NJAB the power to settle any controversy arising out of the failure of the parties to negotiate a renewal of the agreement. The NJAB did so. It imposed the terms of a recently negotiated SMACNA agreement upon Jason. Only provisions which were mandatory subjects of bargaining were imposed. The NJAB award drew its essence from the agreement. The award represents a plausible interpretation of the contract. Based upon the foregoing, we conclude that the district court did not err in enforcing the NJAB award. 9 34