Opinion ID: 2102261
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 6

Heading: Liverpool's Second Step

Text: If the first step is scaled, and the subject matter declared lawfully fit for arbitration, the Liverpool protocol next calls for a determination as to whether the parties agreed to arbitrate the grievance. The second (did-they-do-so) step invokes the sort of conventional judicial analysis that is influenced by the wording of the CBA. Descending from the higher reaches of public policy, this step typically turns on drafting skills and language entirely within the control of the parties. Here, too, in the vast majority of post-Liverpool cases, this Court has determined that the public sector parties had, by the broad arbitration clause language of the collective bargaining contracts, agreed to arbitrate the particular grievances involved ( e.g., Matter of Committee of Interns & Residents [Dinkins], 86 NY2d 478, supra; Matter of Board of Educ. v Connetquot Teachers Assn., 60 NY2d 840, 841, supra; Board of Educ. v Glaubman, 53 NY2d 781, supra; Matter of Franklin Cent. School [Franklin Teachers Assn.], 51 NY2d 348, supra; Board of Educ. v Barni, 49 NY2d 311, supra; Matter of Wyandanch Union Free School Dist. v Wyandanch Teachers Assn., 48 NY2d 669, supra; Matter of Board of Educ. v Roosevelt Teachers Assn., 47 NY2d 748; Matter of Triborough Bridge & Tunnel Auth. [Bridge & Tunnel Officers Benevolent Assn.], 44 NY2d 676, supra; but see, Matter of South Colonie Cent. School Dist. [South Colonie Teachers Assn.], 46 NY2d 521, 525). This case catalog is revealing. It not only speaks to the litigational aftermath of the two Liverpool steps, but also sheds light on an additional theme in Liverpool, notably, the approach in evaluating the intention of the parties with regard to public sector arbitration.