Court Opinion

ID: 3147486
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2015-10-22 18:32:15.285031+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:19:32.819271
License: Public Domain

THIRD DIVISION
                                                                                    March 24, 2010

No. 1-09-1218

THE CITY OF CHICAGO,                     )                    Appeal from the Circuit Court
                                         )                    of Cook County, Illinois.
                    Plaintiff-Appellant, )
                                         )
v.                                       )                    No. 08 CH 35885
                                         )
FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, LODGE         )
No. 7,                                   )                    Honorable Peter Flynn,
                                         )                    Judge Presiding.
                    Defendant-Appellee. )

       PRESIDING JUSTICE MURPHY delivered the opinion of the court:

       Defendant, Fraternal Order of Police, Lodge No. 7, filed a series of grievances against

plaintiff, City of Chicago, regarding the involuntary transfer and detail of several detectives at the

Juvenile Intervention Support Center (JISC) in March 2006. The arbitrator concluded that

plaintiff breached provisions of the collective bargaining agreement (Agreement) between the

parties in force from July 1, 2003, to June 30, 2007 - all times relevant to the instant matter. The

arbitrator also remanded the matter on one issue for the parties to reach an agreement on the

remedy.

       The parties failed to reach an agreement and the arbitrator issued a supplemental opinion
No. 1-09-1218

and award. Plaintiff filed a petition to vacate the arbitrator’s supplemental award and the parties

filed cross-motions for summary judgment. On April 14, 2009, the trial court granted

defendant’s motion for summary judgment. On appeal, the parties do not dispute the findings of

fact reached by the arbitrator. Plaintiff seeks a finding that the arbitrator’s supplemental award is

a punitive remedy not authorized by the Agreement and must be vacated. For the following

reasons, we affirm the finding of the trial court and uphold the arbitrator’s supplemental award.

                                        I. BACKGROUND

       In March 2006, the JISC was established as an operating entity to employ a

multidisciplinary approach to processing juvenile arrestees. Bids for six detective positions were

posted in early 2006 and only one application was received. Therefore, on March 2, 2006, the

resulting vacancies were filled by involuntary transfers of detectives pursuant to section 23.8 of

the Agreement. Months later, plaintiff again posted detective positions for bids and again had to

detail several detectives to the positions on June 22, 2006, to last until September 12, 2006. As

these terms neared their end, plaintiff again posted bids and received only one application. On

September 14, 2006, plaintiff involuntarily transferred detectives, who had been detailed on June

22, 2006, pursuant to section 23.8 of the Agreement. On January 4, 2007, plaintiff involuntarily

detailed three more detectives to the JISC pursuant to section 23.11 of the Agreement.

       The sections of the Agreement central to this case are as follows, in relevant part:

       “Section 23.8 - Filling Recognized Vacancies

                                                ***

                The Employer shall post a list of recognized vacancies, if any, stating the

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No. 1-09-1218

      requirements needed to fill the opening, at least 14 days before the start of the 28-

      day police period. A copy of such postings shall be given to the Lodge. Non-

      probationary officers within the same D-1 salary grade or D-2 job classification,

      within 72 hours of the time the list has been posted, may bid on a recognized

      vacancy in writing on a form to be supplied by the Employer. * * * During the

      bidding and selection process, the Employer may temporarily fill a recognized

      vacancy by assigning an officer to said vacancy until the recognized vacancy is

      filled.

                                              ***

                When there are no qualified bidders, the Employer may fill the recognized

      vacancy within its discretion.

      Section 23.9 - Filling Duty Assignments

                                              ***

                If the Employer violates this Section by improperly filling a

      recognized opening by not placing the opening up for bid, the affected

      officer(s) will be compensated at the rate of time and one-half in quarter

      hour increments until the violation is remedied. The Employer is granted the

      ability to remedy the violation without waiting until the next police period.

                If the Employer violates this section by improperly selecting a bidder

      or improperly determining qualifications for a recognized opening, the

      affected officer(s) will be compensated at the rate of time and one-half in

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No. 1-09-1218

       quarter hour increments up to a maximum of fifty (50) hours of

       compensatory time.

                                                 ***

       Section 23.11 - Details

                                                 ***

                If the Employer assigns an officer to a detail or denies an officer(s)

       assignment to a detail in any manner contrary to the provisions of this Agreement,

       the affected officer(s) will be entitled to compensation at the rate of time and one-

       half in quarter hour increments for the duration of the detail. ” (Emphasis in

       original.)

       Defendant grieved plaintiff’s involuntary transferring and detailing of its members to the

JISC. Following a hearing, the arbitrator made several determinations and issued an extensive

65-page opinion and award on June 3, 2008. The first group of grievances relating to the March

2, 2006, transfers was denied in full. The second and fourth group of grievances relating to the

June 22, 2006, and January 4, 2007, involuntary details were admitted by plaintiff to be

meritorious. Accordingly, the arbitrator awarded the payment of time and one-half for the time

worked under these details pursuant to the express terms of sections 23.9 and 23.11 of the

Agreement. There is no dispute as to this determination and award for these grievances.

       The final grievances relating to the September 14, 2006, involuntary transfers were

sustained by the arbitrator as violating section 23.8 of the Agreement. The arbitrator determined

that plaintiff abused its discretion in these transfers because it based the transfers on the

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No. 1-09-1218

detectives’ experience gained under their procedurally improper detail. In his extensive

discussion and findings on this issue, the arbitrator first noted that he was constrained by the

specific authority granted under section 9.7 of the Agreement and that he was required to find

exclusive support for his decision from the terms and conditions of the Agreement. The

arbitrator summarized the typical role and duties of an arbitrator and what level of remedial

authority is vested in the arbitrator.

        The arbitrator continued, detailing the differences between section 23.8 of the Agreement,

which provides no specific language regarding a monetary remedy of penalty compensation, and

sections 23.9 and 23.11, which provide the monetary remedy of time and one-half compensation

for improper detail or improper filling unit duty assignments, respectively. Ultimately, the

arbitrator stated that he stood “at the cusp on the remedy issue” and remanded the matter to the

parties on the remedy issue for these violations. The arbitrator retained jurisdiction for 60 days

in the event the parties continued at a stalemate so he could issue a supplemental award and

“untie this ‘Gordian knot.’ ”

        After the parties requested a supplemental opinion and award, the arbitrator complied on

July 1, 2008, granting the same monetary remedy of time and one-half pay for the violation of

section 23.8. He noted the “time-honored rule” of contract interpretation that the mention of one

thing is the exclusion of another, but found that applying it to section 23.8 would find the

remedial power of the arbitrator intentionally limited by indirect negotiated language. The

arbitrator concluded that it is not the legitimate province of the arbitrator to add language and the

monetary penalty was proper. In addition, the arbitrator found that the request of some of the

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No. 1-09-1218

grievants for special protections from being involuntarily transferred again would be an

impermissible modification of the Agreement and was denied.

       Plaintiff filed a petition to vacate the supplemental award in the circuit court. A hearing

was held on the parties’ cross-motions for summary judgment. The court agreed with the

arbitrator that the Agreement did not provide clear guidance from the language of sections 23.8,

23.9 and 23.11, whether the parties intended for no remedy to attach to section 23.8. The court

noted that the silence in section 23.8 presented a difficult case for the arbitrator and “the

wonderful thing about silence is that you can construe silence either way depending on the

situation.” The court then reviewed the arbitrator’s opinion and award and quoted several

passages that it opined evidenced the arbitrator’s logic in concluding a monetary remedy was

proper for a violation of section 23.8.

       Specifically, the trial court concluded that the arbitrator was not trying to legislate, but

simply tried to faithfully interpret the Agreement. It found that the arbitrator properly relied on

its finding that the Agreement lacked any specific provision that the parties intended no remedy

to attach to section 23.8. With the lack of an explicit bar of a remedy and the negotiated

provisions for remedies for similar violations, the arbitrator concluded that the same remedy was

implicitly available for section 23.8 violations. Accordingly, the trial court opined the

arbitrator’s supplemental opinion and award was not patently outside the lines of the Agreement

and defendant’s motion for summary judgment was granted. This appeal followed.

                                           II. ANALYSIS

                                       A. Standard of Review

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No. 1-09-1218

          Summary judgment may be granted when the pleadings, depositions, admissions and

affidavits on file demonstrate no genuine issue as to any material fact and the moving party is

entitled to judgment as a matter of law. 735 ILCS 5/2-1005(c) (West 2004). The trial court is to

view all evidence in a light most favorable to the nonmovant. Norris v. National Union Fire

Insurance Co., 326 Ill. App. 3d 314, 320 (2001). We review an order granting summary

judgment de novo. Big Sky Excavating, Inc. v. Illinois Bell Telephone Co., 217 Ill. 2d 221, 234

(2005).

          As the issue before the trial court was the arbitrator’s interpretation of the Agreement, we

review the underlying arbitration award pursuant to section 12 of the Illinois Uniform Arbitration

Act. 710 ILCS 5/12 (West 2006). Because the legislature was clear in intending to provide

finality for disputes sent to arbitration, our review is extremely limited and we may vacate an

award only under certain circumstances. American Federation of State, County & Municipal

Employees v. Department of Central Management Services, 173 Ill. 2d 299, 304 (1996)

(AFSCME); 710 ILCS 5/12(a) (West 2006). We will not overrule the arbitrator’s decision simply

if our interpretation differs. We must affirm the award if the arbitrator has acted within the scope

of his or her authority and granted an award that draws its essence from the agreement between

the parties. AFSCME, 173 Ill. 2d at 304-05.

                                     B. Untying the Gordian Knot

          This case is simply a question of contract interpretation - whether the arbitrator correctly

interpreted the Agreement or exceeded his authority. While a dry exercise, put in the interesting

metaphorical terms used by the arbitrator and the trial court, the question could be phrased as to

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No. 1-09-1218

whether the arbitrator was Alexander the Great breaking the Gordian knot under the powers of

the Agreement, or if he was King Solomon crafting a penalty out of whole cloth. As the trial

court also noted, and the extensive opinion and award of the arbitrator evidence, this is a difficult

case, but we agree with the trial court that the arbitrator was more Alexander than Solomon.

       Plaintiff concedes that it violated the Agreement as determined by the arbitrator and that

review of an arbitrator’s award is narrow. However, it argues that it is clear that the arbitrator

exceeded his authority and the award must therefore be vacated. 710 ILCS 5/12(a) (West 2006).

Plaintiff maintains that Illinois case law clearly holds that a noncompensatory, punitive damages

award, which is not expressly provided for in a collective bargaining agreement, must be vacated

as a remedy exceeding the authority of the arbitrator. City of Chicago v. Water Pipe Extension,

302 Ill. App. 3d 940, 946 (1999); City of Chicago v. American Federation of State, County &

Municipal Employees, Council 31, 283 Ill. App. 3d 446, 451 (1996) (AFSCME, Council 31);

Edward Electric Co. v. Automation, Inc., 229 Ill. App. 3d 89, 105 (1992).

       In determining whether an award is punitive, we begin by examining the plain language

of the arbitrator’s opinion and award. AFSCME, Council 31, 283 Ill. App. 3d at 451 (1996). The

language of the arbitrator is not determinative, but helpful in ascertaining if the award was

intended to punish or deter. Water Pipe Extension, 302 Ill. App. 3d at 947. Plaintiff notes that

courts have also considered the issue of whether the award exceeds monetary loss as part of this

calculus. Water Pipe Extension, 302 Ill. App. 3d at 947-48.

       In Water Pipe Extension, this court reversed an award of double-time pay for violation of

a contractual notice requirement for shift changes while it was undisputed that the contract only

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No. 1-09-1218

provided for time and one-half pay. Water Pipe Extension, 302 Ill. App. 3d at 948. Following

AFSCME, Council 31, the court examined the language of the award. The arbitrator noted that

he could not impose punitive damages in his award and also cited a prior decision of the

arbitrator that awarded a double-time remedy as the best way to handle future violations and “

‘getting the message through’ ” that willful violations would result in double-time pay. Water

Pipe Extension, 302 Ill. App. 3d at 947. Accordingly, the court vacated the award because it

clearly exceeded the terms of the collective bargaining agreement and the record showed that the

arbitrator granted the award as a means of deterring or punishing the plaintiff’s violation of the

notice requirements. Water Pipe Extension, 302 Ill. App. 3d at 949.

       Plaintiff argues that the supplemental award must be vacated under AFSCME and Water

Pipe Extension. Plaintiff cites to the language the arbitrator used throughout both the original

and supplemental opinion and award. Specifically, plaintiff points to the arbitrator’s use of the

word “penalty” throughout, and also his classification of the award and authorizing sections as:

“specific penalty”; “specific penalty compensation”; “specific penalty pay provisions”;

“monetary penalties”; “penalty compensation”; or “penalty time and one-half compensation.”

Plaintiff concludes that the use of these words can only lead to the conclusion that the award is

punitive. Plaintiff discounts the language that defendant highlights, the arbitrator’s use of

“remedy,” “compensation,” and “monetary remedy,” arguing these terms shed no light on the

intent of the award.

       Plaintiff asserts that the award did not compensate for any monetary loss and, even if

there were monetary loss, there is the lack of any express remedy provision in section 23.8.

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No. 1-09-1218

Plaintiff argues that the parties’ inclusion of a remedy in sections 23.9 and 23.11 solidifies this

argument under the long-held maxim that the mention of one thing implies the exclusion of

another by its silence. Because of this, plaintiff argues that the award does not “draw its essence”

from the Agreement. AFSCME, 173 Ill. 2d at 305. Together with the lack of any evidence that

the grievants suffered lost wages, benefits, increases in costs or lost opportunities due to the

transfers, plaintiff maintains the supplemental award must be vacated.

       Defendant responds that the plain language of the arbitrator’s award and supplemental

award support the conclusion reached by the trial court - that the arbitrator was not legislating a

punitive award, but attempted to provide a remedial award. As noted above, defendant points to

the arbitrator’s use of not only “remedy,” “compensation,” and “monetary remedy,” but also

“compensation” and “equitable remedy” in describing the award. Defendant asserts that the

arbitrator’s use of “penalty” simply was picking up on plaintiff’s arguments. Defendant points to

this court’s decision in Board of Education of Community High School District No. 155 v.

Illinois Educational Labor Relations Board, 247 Ill. App. 3d 337 (1993), to argue that this

verbiage clearly indicates the arbitrator intended the award as a remedial measure and not

punitive. The Board of Education court considered the arbitrator’s statement that “ ‘ the

Grievant is entitled to a monetary award to remedy the damage done to his professional integrity

and standing which resulted from the [District’s] action’ and then ‘direct[ed] the [District] to

compensate the Grievant.’ (Emphasis added.)” Board of Education, 247 Ill. App. 3d at 348. The

court determined that, from these words of the arbitrator, it was readily apparent that the focus

was on remedy and compensation and not on punishment. Board of Education, 247 Ill. App. 3d
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No. 1-09-1218

at 348.

          We agree with the trial court that, as with all contract interpretation regarding silence, this

case presents a difficult question. Both parties have cited to the language used by the arbitrator

in support of their argument; accordingly, the specific verbiage cannot be considered

determinative. We agree with defendant that the arbitrator’s reasoning overcomes the use of any

certain terminology and indicates the desire to formulate a remedy and not a penalty. Unlike

Water Pipe Extension, there is no clear pay scheme that has been violated or any language clearly

indicating that the arbitrator intended to penalize or deter future action.

          Under section 9.7 of the Agreement, the arbitrator is charged with interpreting the terms

of the Agreement in resolving disputes. The arbitrator is specifically barred from amending,

modifying, nullifying, disregarding, adding to, or subtracting from the provisions. Section 23.8

does not specifically provide the time and one-half remedy, but it also does not specifically

provide no remedy for a violation. The arbitrator carefully reviewed the Agreement for any

command to the contrary and could not find one. Sections 23.9 and 23.11 provide the time and

one-half remedy for similar types of violations and do not specifically limit the remedy to those

specific sections. In fact, section 23.11 provides this remedy is proper for details “in any manner

contrary to the provisions of this Agreement.”

          Accordingly, we agree that the arbitrator did not act as King Solomon and craft the award

out of whole cloth. Rather, the arbitrator ostensibly labored over the terms of the Agreement and

the actions of the parties and untied the Gordian knot with bold and fair strokes of his pen. The

Agreement does not provide specific limitations and, unlike the penalty cases cited by plaintiff, a

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No. 1-09-1218

remedy was not created out of whole cloth or above and beyond that negotiated by the parties.

The arbitrator’s reading of the Agreement is fair and supported and, given the extremely narrow

review we conduct, certainly must be affirmed.

                                      III. CONCLUSION

       Accordingly, for the aforementioned reasons, the decision of the trial court is affirmed.

       Affirmed.

       STEELE and COLEMAN, JJ., concur.

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          No. 1-09-1218

Please Use
                              REPORTER OF DECISIONS – ILLINOIS APPELLATE COURT
Following                               (Front Sheet to be Attached to Each Case)
Form:
                    CITY OF CHICAGO,
Complete
TITLE
of Case                                                                     Petitioner-Appellant,

                             v.

                    FRATERNAL ORDER OF POLICE, LODGE NO. 7,

                                                                            Respondent-Appellee.

Docket No.

COURT                                                             No. 1-09-1218

                                                           Appellate Court of Illinois
Opinion                                                 First District, FOURTH Division
Filed
                                                                  March 24, 2010
                                                              (Give month, day and year)
JUSTICES

                             PRESIDING JUSTICE MURPHY delivered the opinion of the court:

                             Steele and Coleman, JJ.,                                                                 concur [s]

                                                                                                                      dissent[s]
APPEAL from
the Circuit
Ct. of Cook
Cty;                                      Lower Court and T rial Judge(s) in form indicated in the margin:
The Hon.
________,                    Ho norable                  Peter Flynn                                 , Judge Presiding.
Judge
Presiding.

For
APPELLANTS,
John Doe,                           Indicate if attorney represents APPELLANTS or APPELLEE S and include
of Chicago.                              attorneys of counsel. Indicate the word NONE if not represented.

For                 Attorneys for App ellant:   Mara S . Georges, Corporation Counsel of the City of Chicago
APPELLEES,
Smith and                                       Benna Ruth Solomon, Deputy Corporation Counsel
Smith of                                        Myriam Zreczny Kasper, Chief Asst. Corporation Counsel
Chicago,                                        Suzanne M. Loose, Asst. Corporation Counsel
Joseph                                          30 N. La Salle Street, Suite 800
Brown, (of                                      Chicago, IL 60602
Counsel)
                                                Phone: (312) 744-8519
Also add
attorneys           Attorneys for App ellee:    Thomas J. Pleines
for third-    ,                                 Fraternal O rder of Po lice, Lodge No . 7
party                                           1412 W . Washington Bo ulevard
appellants
or                                              Chicago, IL 60607
appellees.                                      Phone: (312) 733-777696

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