Opinion ID: 1474245
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Gibson Appeal

Text: Trooper Scott Gibson was progressively disciplined, and ultimately discharged, for violating State Police regulations. The violations were connected with his failure to pay his debts, his issuance of bad checks, and his failure to file reports properly. Trooper Gibson filed a grievance over his dismissal. The arbitrator found that Trooper Gibson's offenses did not constitute extremely egregious behavior. Additionally, the arbitrator considered the discipline administered to be so late that the motivational aspect of discipline was lacking. The arbitrator directed the State Police to reinstate Trooper Gibson immediately without backpay but with full seniority. The State Police appealed to the Commonwealth Court. Citing its own recent Betancourt opinion as support, the Commonwealth Court applied the essence test. The court sustained the arbitrator's award, declaring that it had drawn its essence from the collective bargaining agreement.