Opinion ID: 467556
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: Does The Severing of Sec. 1401(a)(3)(A) Rescue The Scheme's Constitutionality?

Text: 89 We believe that the arbitrator's exercise of de novo review over the trustees' determination would suffice to meet the requirement of an impartial decisionmaker. The Ninth and Second Circuits have already held that a fair de novo hearing removes the taint of an earlier biased tribunal. Perry v. Milk Drivers' & Dairy Employees Union Local 302, 656 F.2d 536, 539 (9th Cir.1981); Rosario v. Ladies Garment Cutters' Local 10, 605 F.2d 1228, 1244-45 (2d Cir.1979). It seems clear that a full and fair de novo hearing before an arbitrator offers the withdrawing employer a fair disposition of his case and satisfies the appearance of justice. 23 90 The trustees' determination is the first in a scheme that requires arbitration and judicial review. We are satisfied that if the arbitrator does not accord the trustees' determination a presumption of correctness, MPPAA will meet the constitutional requirement of providing an impartial decisionmaker. 24 91 Thus, we will strike down only the requirement that the trustees' determination be presumed correct in arbitration, leaving the rest of MPPAA fully operative.