Opinion ID: 754562
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Supplemental Award

Text: 27 Kuhlman contends that the supplemental award should be vacated because, in rendering the award, the arbitrator improperly: (1) exercised continuing jurisdiction without the consent of both parties; (2) interpreted Kuhlman's jurisdictional objection as a refusal to participate in a hearing on the issue of back pay; (3) failed to conduct a hearing on the issue of back pay, thereby violating Kuhlman's right to due process; (4) based the award of back pay on the unjustified assumption that 30 employees were performing the instrument-transformer work at all times; and (5) computed damages without allowing for mitigation by interim earnings or unemployment compensation. 28 Kuhlman filed its supplemental motion to vacate the arbitrator's back-pay award on April 9, 1997. On April 15, 1997, less than one week later, the district court granted that motion without having considered it on the merits. Instead, the district court relied upon its granting of Kuhlman's initial motion for summary judgment on the same date: 29 In light of the Court's disposition of the parties' cross-motions for summary judgment, and its finding in favor of Plaintiff, it follows that the arbitrator's second award must likewise be vacated. Accordingly, Plaintiff's ... supplemental motion for summary judgment will be granted. 30 UAW submitted neither an opposition to Kuhlman's supplemental motion nor its own supplemental motion, presumably because the district court's expeditious disposition of Kuhlman's supplemental motion deprived UAW of time to properly prepare either one. 31 While it appears that Kuhlman's arguments in support of vacating the supplemental award may have merit, this matter is not ripe for appellate review because the arguments raised by Kuhlman were neither briefed by UAW nor considered on their merits by the district court. Accordingly, we will remand the disposition of Kuhlman's motion to vacate the back-pay award for briefing and consideration on the merits.