Opinion ID: 760376
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Collective Bargaining Agreement's Arbitration Provisions

Text: 6 The CBA at issue here includes a number of provisions governing contract disputes between the parties. The grievance-and-arbitration provision of the CBA provides: 7 If, at any time, a controversy should arise between the Union and the Company regarding the true intent and meaning of any provision of this Agreement or regarding any claim that either party has not performed a commitment of this Agreement, the controversy may be presented for review in accordance with the [grievance provisions] of this Article. If the controversy is processed under these Sections and is not satisfactorily settled, the Union or the Company, by written notice specifying the Section of the Agreement alleged to be violated, may submit the question under dispute to arbitration in accordance with the provisions of Article 13 of this Agreement. 8 CBA § 10.07. Article 13, in turn, provides that [t]here shall be arbitrated only the matters specifically made subject to arbitration by the provisions of this Agreement, id. § 13.01, and that [t]he procedure for arbitration is set forth in Exhibit B, id. § 13.02. Exhibit B provides, in relevant part: 9 The procedure to be followed in instituting and conducting the arbitration of any matter subject to arbitration under the provisions of Article 13, shall be as follows, except that the tripartite board may be eliminated and an agency other than the American Arbitration Association may be substituted upon mutual agreement of the parties. 10 Id. § B1.01. The remaining parts of Article B1 contain the details of the procedure to be followed in instituting and conducting the arbitration of any matter subject to arbitration under the provisions of Article 13, including the appointment of an arbitrator by each side and the selection of an impartial third arbitrator. 11 Exhibit B also contains a procedure for expedited arbitration: 12 In lieu of the procedures specified in Section B1 of this Agreement, any grievance involving the suspension of an individual employee, [with certain exceptions not here relevant,] shall be submitted to arbitration under the expedited arbitration procedure hereinafter provided within fifteen (15) calendar days after the filing of a request for arbitration. In all other grievances involving disciplinary action which are specifically subject to arbitration under Article 11 of this Agreement, both parties may, within fifteen (15) calendar days after the filing of the request for arbitration, elect to use the expedited arbitration procedure hereinafter provided. The election shall be in writing and, when signed by authorized representatives of the parties, shall be irrevocable. If no such election is made within the foregoing time period, the arbitration procedure in Section B1 shall be followed. 13 Id. § B2.01. 14 The underlying dispute in this case is governed, inter alia, by Article 39 of the CBA. Under Article 39, Bell must follow certain procedures when a reorganization is contemplated, including consulting with the Union. If these consultations fail to result in a reorganization agreement, Bell may implement its own plan. Under the provision at the heart of this case, [i]f management implements procedures without the agreement of the Union, the Union may submit to expedited arbitration the question whether the procedures implemented are in compliance with the standards and requirements listed in [section] 39.05. Id. § 39.07.