Court Opinion

ID: 9471213
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-05 03:27:03.226253+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T17:42:18.709773
License: Public Domain

*1016KEITH, Circuit Judge.
dissenting.
I respectfully dissent. It is well-settled that arbitration is favored as a means of resolving labor disputes, and that the courts refrain from reviewing the merits of an arbitration award. W.R. Grace & Co. v. Local Union 759, International Union of the United Rubber, Cork, Linoleum & Plastic Workers of America, — U.S. —, 103 S.Ct. 2177, 76 L.Ed.2d 298 (1983); United Steelworkers v. Enterprise Wheel & Car Corp., 363 U.S. 593, 80 S.Ct. 1358, 4 L.Ed.2d 1424 (1960). However, this Court is bound by its decision in Detroit Coil v. International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Lodge 82, 594 F.2d 575 (6th Cir.), cert. denied, 444 U.S. 840, 100 S.Ct. 79, 62 L.Ed.2d 52 (1979). We have found no case which abrogates this decision. In Detroit Coil, supra, this court stated:
An arbitrator is confined to interpretation and application of the collective bargaining agreement; he does not sit to dispense his own brand of industrial justice. He may, of course, look for guidance from many sources, yet his award is legitimate only so long as it draws its essence from the collective bargaining agreement. When the arbitrator’s words manifest an infidelity to this obligation, courts have no choice but to refuse enforcement of the award. 594 F.2d at 579 (quoting United States Steelworkers of America v. Enterprise Wheel & Car Corp., 363 U.S. 593, 597, 80 S.Ct. 1358, 1361, 4 L.Ed.2d 1424 (1960)).
The arbitrator disregarded Article VIII of the collective bargaining agreement, and found that he had no authority to determine whether the grievant was capable of returning to his former job. The district court and the majority have concurred in this finding. However, this finding is in complete derogation of Article VIII and is contrary to our prior decision that an arbitrator’s award must be based on the essence of the collective bargaining agreement. Article VIII is a plain and unambiguous provision of the collective bargaining agreement. The arbitrator expressly disregarded it in reaching his award.
This court has repeatedly found that an arbitrator is without authority to disregard or modify plain and unambiguous provisions. Detroit Coil, supra; General Drivers, Warehousemen and Helpers, Local Union No. 89 v. Hays & Nicoulin, 594 F.2d 1093, 1094 (6th Cir.1979); Timken Co. v. Local Union 1123 United Steelworkers of America, 482 F.2d 1012, 1014 (6th Cir.1973). By disregarding Article VIII, the arbitrator’s award clearly fails to draw its essence from the collective bargaining agreement. Accordingly, I would reverse the district court’s opinion and vacate the arbitration award.