Court Opinion

ID: 9701951
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-25 22:46:54.83316+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T18:21:31.235587
License: Public Domain

CASTILLE, Justice,
concurring.
I join the majority opinion so far as it states that the “essence test” is the appropriate standard of review of labor arbitration awards. I write separately for the same reasons expressed in my concurring and dissenting opinion in State Sys. of Higher. Educ. v. State College Univ. Prof'l Ass’n (PSEA/NEA), 560 Pa. 135, 743 A.2d 405 (1999) (Castille, J., concurring and dissenting). It is still my view that the essence test should include a review to determine whether the arbitrator’s decision is manifestly unreasonable. Such a standard protects against unbridled discretion by the arbitrator. When parties agree to arbitrate disputes, surely they do not contemplate a circumstance where unreviewable, manifestly unreasonable decisions will result. This approach allows for limited judicial review where the arbitrator’s decision involves an issue that is arguably covered by the terms of the collective bargaining agreement, yet it is apparent that the decision was manifestly unreasonable.
Having said this, I nonetheless join the majority opinion as I recognize the stare decisis effect of State System. I would still add that, in my view, the arbitrator’s award here was not manifestly unreasonable for the reasons stated in the majority opinion. Under any test, the award here must be reinstated.