Legal Document

484 U.S. 29 108 S.Ct. 364 98 L.Ed.2d 286 UNITED PAPERWORKERS INTERNATIONAL UNION, AFL-CIO, et al., Petitionersv.MISCO, INC. No. 86-651. Argued Oct. 13, 1987. Decided Dec. 1, Syllabus Respondent employer's collective-bargaining agreement with petitioner union authorizes the submission to binding arbitration of any grievance that arises from interpretation or application agreement's terms, and reserves management right establish, amend, enforce rules regulating employee discharge discipline setting forth disciplinary procedures. One respondent's listed as causes for possession use controlled substances on company property. Isiah Cooper, an covered by who operated a hazardous machine, was apprehended police in backseat someone else's car parking lot marijuana smoke air lighted cigarette front-seat ashtray. A search Cooper's own revealed gleanings. Upon learning incident, respondent discharged Cooper violation rule. then filed which proceeded stipulated issue whether had just cause under rule and, if not, appropriate remedy. The arbitrator upheld ordered reinstatement, finding incident insufficient proof using possessed Because, at time discharge, not aware of, thus did rely upon, fact been found car, refused accept this into evidence. However, District Court vacated award Appeals affirmed, ruling reinstatement would violate public policy "against operation dangerous machinery persons influence drugs." court held established gave discharge. Held: 1. exceeded limited authority reviewing arbitrator's entered pursuant agreement. Pp. 36-42. (a) Absent fraud parties dishonesty, courts such cases are authorized reconsider merits award, since undermine federal privately settling labor disputes without governmental intervention. having agreed submit all questions contract arbitrator, is confined ascertaining draws its essence does simply reflect notions industrial justice. As long even arguably construing applying acting within scope his authority, cannot overturn decision because it disagrees factual findings, interpretations, choice remedies. 36-38. (b) free refuse enforcement considered ample violated, no dishonesty alleged here, improvident factfinding hardly sufficient basis disregarding what appointed determined be historical facts. Nor refusal consider evidence nonenforcement, largely left evidentiary matters whose point consistent practice followed other arbitrators refusing admit discharging party upon. Assuming err point, error bad faith so gross amount affirmative misconduct. Moreover, disputed forever foreclose Even were open find evidence, could properly set aside view correct remedy, normally have wide discretion formulating Although here may remedial giving unreviewable violators rule, proper course remand definitive construction respect. 39-42. 2. erred arbitral grounds. court's situations where interpreted "some explicit policy" "well defined dominant, ascertained reference laws legal precedents general considerations supposed interests." W.R. Grace & Co. v. Rubber Workers, 461 757, 766, 103 2177, 2183, 76 298. An must framed approach out Grace, clearly shown. Here, made attempt review existing precedents, but formulated against drugs based "general formulation accepted, shown, assumed connection between gleanings actual workplace tenuous best. It inappropriate itself draw inference, task chosen parties, court. Furthermore, old job equivalent one he qualified, clear pose threat asserted every alternative job. 42-45. 768 F.2d 739, (CA5 1985) reversed. WHITE, J., delivered opinion unanimous Court. BLACKMUN, concurring opinion, BRENNAN, joined, post, p. 46. David Silberman, Washington, D.C., petitioners. A. Richard Gear, Monroe, La., respondent. Justice WHITE 1 involves several aspects when rendered 2 * Misco, Inc. (Misco, Company), operates paper converting plant Louisiana. Company United Paperworkers International Union, local (the Union); covers production maintenance employees plant. Under agreement, Union final upon parties. terms contained itself. "rules regulations employees" procedures imposing discipline. Such posted effect "until ruled fairness necessity."1 For about decade, Company's bringing intoxicants, narcotics, property consuming them there, well reporting work substances.2 At events involved case, very concerned plant, especially among night shift. 3 worked shift He slitter-rewinder uses sharp blades cut rolling coils paper. machine caused numerous injuries recent years. reprimanded twice few months deficient performance. On January 21, 1983, day after second reprimand, searched house warrant, substantial found. Contemporaneously, officer detailed keep observation lot. 6:30 p.m., seen walking during hours two men. three men momentarily, walked another white Cutlass, it. After later returned frontseat also plastic scales case arrested charged possession.3 4 24, told home; learn Cutlass until 27. investigated February 7 asserting circumstances, presence violated premises.4 protesting same day, matter arbitration. September five days before hearing scheduled, car. That become known began. "just Grievant Rule II.1" "[i]f should remedy." App. Pet. Cert. 26a. 5 reinstate backpay full seniority. there consideration seven criteria.5 In particular, failed prove used property: burning ashtray Id., 49a-50a. premises know therefore discharge.6 6 suit Court, seeking vacate grounds, ordering allegedly premises, contrary policy. ran counter safety concerns arise while drugs, state criminal drug possession. judge dissenting. alcohol." 743 1985). atmosphere another's These facts him. reach conclusion "narrow focus procedural rights" led him ignore "knew true: bring onto premises." Ibid. "it doubtful enforced today light now known." Because Courts divided question awards contravening policy,7 we granted Union's petition writ certiorari, 479 1029, 107 871, 93 826 (1987), reverse judgment Appeals. II 8 asserts grounds unless orders conduct violates positive law, here. But alternative, submits wrong regard, otherwise Respondent, hand, defends alternatively argues below affirmed erroneous findings arbitrator. We deal first opposing arguments. 9 Collective-bargaining agreements commonly provide settle employer respect require unsettled grievances. cases, almost 30 years ago play only role asked though allege rests errors misinterpretation contract. "The collective bargaining agreements. undermined say awards." Steelworkers Enterprise Wheel Car Corp., 363 593, 596, 80 1358, 1360, 1424 (1960). "draws agreement," merely "his brand justice," legitimate. 597, S.Ct., 1361. 10 function making claim face governed Whether moving these circumstances deprived judgment, connotes bargained for. 11 courts, therefore, business weighing grievance, considering equity particular claim, determining language written instrument will support claim." American Mfg. Co., 564, 567-568, 1343, 1346, 1403 (1960) (emphasis added; footnote omitted). 12 See AT T Technologies, Communications 475 643, 649-650, 106 1415, 1418-1419, 89 648 (1986). 13 reasons insulating decisions judicial grounded statutes labor-management relations. decided preference private settlement intervention government: Labor Management Relations Act 1947, 61 Stat. 154, U.S.C. § 173(d), provides "[f]inal adjustment method hereby declared desirable arising over agreement." supra, 650, 1419. jurisdiction contracts; procedures, those exhausted order resort mechanisms dealing dispute. contracted settled rather than judge, meaning they accept. do sit hear claims appellate lower courts. To resolve reject them. true plain contract; give ground misread Wheel, U.S., 599, at, 1362. So, too, contemplated determine remedies violations finds, disagree honest If intervene speedy resolution grievances greatly undermined. remembered part parcel ongoing process bargaining. through processes supplementary established. has said, dispute convinced committed serious suffice decision. Of course, procured need enforced. nothing sort case. B 14 position, put, grievous Appeals, although took distinctly jaundiced II.1 violated. No alleged; improvident, silly, claimed. This agent 15 deciding unknown fired. follow chose. Article VI entitled "Arbitration Procedure," some process. forbade hearsay example, 19. Here II.1, relied particularly like notice prior after-discovered This, effect, required cases: look noted, arbitrators.8 And our John Wiley Sons, Livingston, 376 543, 557, 84 909, 918, 898 (1964), subject arbitrable, "procedural" grow bear disposition 16 Arbitration Act, empowered "the guilty misconduct . pertinent material controversy." 10(c). Commonwealth Coatings Corp. Continental Casualty 393 145, 337, 21 301 (1968).9 apply standard assume misconduct.10 Finally, worth noting putting 17 remains Normally, sanction imposed reduced 10-day suspension. reversed, explaining "is informed fair solution problem. comes remedies." 1361 added). limit respect; be, argues, once "just" cryptically observed expressly immediate Before disposing proper, C 18 purport take event. Rather, person brought F.2d, 743. affirm judgment. 19 specific more doctrine, rooted common contracts law 298 (1983); Hurd Hodge, 334 34-35, 68 847, 852-853, 92 L.Ed. 1187 (1948). doctrine derives basic notion lend aid founds action immoral illegal act, further justified public's interests confining go unrepresented judiciary takes account considers E.g., McMullen Hoffman, 174 639, 654-655, 839, 845, 43 1117 (1899); Twin City Pipe Line Harding Glass 283 353, 356-358, 51 476, 477-478, 75 1112 (1931). contracts, served foundation occasional exercises power abrogate 20 recognized "a policy," stated ultimately courts." 2183. cautioned, however, 'by interests.' " (quoting Muschany States, 324 49, 66, 65 442, 451, 744 (1945)). identified important policies potentially jeopardized contract: obedience voluntary compliance Title VII Civil Rights 1964. went hold compromise either threatened award. Two points Grace. First, Second, apparent broad discussed areas policy, turned examination created conflict "laws precedents" assessment least, shown see it, comply statement "ascertained 451). demonstrate establish "well-defined dominant" drugs. certainly firmly sense, explicitly interests" permits accordance valid 22 Appeals' pursuing inquiry, quite traces Yet best holding actually rest speculation assumption. 23 event, necessary inference. conclude ever operating exercise amenability discipline, exceeds bargain court, opportunity observe familiar problems. inquiring possible excuse doing task. additional found, effort might premises. Had property, yet short trusted job, upset threatened.11 noted reinstated qualified. means record qualified.12 24 25 So ordered. whom BRENNAN joins, concurring. 26 I join Court's write separately underscore narrow emphasize today. certiorari granted: requires unlawful employer. position issue. ante, 45, n. 12. understand decide, generally, way, any, differs outside context, Those issues day. 27 agree summarize rationales decision: 28 concluding company's legitimately excluded process, second-guessing assessing (1960); 596-597, 1360-1361, 1362, overreaching, lacked disagreeing cause" Cooper. violation, advanced contravene employee's contains indicate let alone report impaired future. 44. suggests gives option placing one, operate machinery. 44—45. 3. (1983), founded 'laws precedents.' quoting (1945). precedent demonstrated "explicit Far being dominant," prescribed, "from 43. criticizing formulation, suggest framing justify step 31 understanding 20-21. quoted XI sets procedure. 18-20. reserved rights specified IV 13-15. lists following discharge: "Bringing into, narcotics Reporting duty substances." 31a. pleaded charge, related authorities chose prosecute latter incident. lit direct substance 23. reasonableness given employee, timing investigation undertaken, investigation, possibility discrimination, relation degree nature offense past record. stated: "One hand employee. spend eight digging up supporting actions. addition, prevented knowing extent charge Who knows taken outset investigation." 47a. accords broader courts' First Seventh Circuits. See, e.g., States Postal Service Workers 736 822 (CA1 1984); E.I. DuPont de Nemours Grasselli Employees Independent Assn. East Chicago, Inc., 790 611 (CA7), cert. denied, 853, 186, 120 narrower Ninth Columbia Bevles Teamsters Local 986, 791 1391 (CA9 1986); Northwest Airlines, Air Pilots International, 257 U.S.App.D.C. 181, 808 (1987); Service, 252 169, 789 correctness "must stand fall reason discharge," see, West Va. Pulp Paper Lab.Arb. 117, 118 (1947), often, always, confine their O. Fairweather, Practice Procedure 303-306 (2d ed. 1983); F. Elkouri E. Elkouri, How Works 634-635 (3d 1973). "contracts employment workers engaged foreign interstate commerce," often looked guidance wake 156, 185, empowers fashion govern "[s]uits organization" laws. Textile Lincoln Mills, 353 448, 77 912, 972 (1957) (construing 185). Ludwig Honold Fletcher, 405 1123 (CA3 1969); Pietro Scalzitti Operating Engineers, 150, 351 576 (CA7 1965). rare instances aberrations rise level misconduct, proceedings according result, improperly substitute determination Instead, leaving permitted seems appropriate. Amalgamated Food Allied 56 Great P Tea 415 185 1969) (vacating remanding declined arbitrate submitted). 10(e) ("Where expired may, discretion, rehearing arbitrators"). commonplace instance decide danger. problem indeed dangerous, point. address statute, regulation, manifestation compels law.

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