Brink's Inc. v. City of New York
Brink's Inc. v. City of New York
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
In his answer to the third-party complaint of Brink’s Inc., Jose Rodriguez asserts as a counterclaim that he was wrongfully discharged from his employment and seeks as damages $10,400 in back pay representing the total loss of income between the time of his discharge and reinstatement. Brink’s moves for summary judgment on the counterclaim on the ground, inter alia, that the third-party complaint fails to state a claim upon which relief can be granted.
On January 28, 1981, Rodriguez was terminated from employment with Brink’s for alleged violations of Brink’s regulations for its armored car employees. Specifically, Rodriguez was charged with reading a newspaper and falling asleep in the cab of his truck while on duty. Subsequently, his union, Truck Drivers Local 807 International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Chauffeurs, Warehousemen and Helpers of America, grieved the discharge pursuant to Article XXIX of the Collective Bargaining Agreement between the parties and the dispute was submitted to arbitration. A hearing was held on April 9, 1981 and on May 20, 1981 the arbitrator issued his award holding that Rodriguez was discharged for improper cause and directing that he be reinstated “to his former position, with seniority, and
It is well established that an employee who does not prevail on an arbitrable issue in a contractually prescribed arbitration proceeding may not, absent some showing that the proceeding has been tainted by impropriety, ask a court to redetermine the merits of that issue.
Brink’s motion for summary judgment is granted on the ground that the third-party complaint fails to state a cause of action. So ordered.
. Local 807, I.B.T. v. Brink’s Inc., No. 8IK/10408, slip op. at 3 (May 20, 1981) (Schuman, Arb.)
. Hines v. Anchor Motor Freight, Inc., 424 U.S. 554, 562-67, 96 S.Ct. 1048, 1055-1057, 47 L.Ed.2d 231 (1976); Vaca v. Sipes, 386 U.S. 171, 186, 87 S.Ct. 903, 914, 17 L.Ed.2d 842 (1967); Santos v. District Council of New York City, 547 F.2d 197, 201 (2d Cir. 1977).
. Collective Bargaining Agreement, Article XXIX.
. See, e.g., Locals 2222, 2320-2327 IBEW v. New England Telephone and Telegraph Co., 628 F.2d 644, 647 (1st Cir. 1980); Kallen v. District 1199, National Union of Hospital & Health Care Employees, 574 F.2d 723, 726 (2d Cir. 1978).
. 29 U.S.C. § 185(a) (1976).
. United Parcel Service, Inc. v. Mitchell, 451 U.S. 56, 59, 101 S.Ct. 1559, 1562, 67 L.Ed.2d 732 (1981).
Reference
- Full Case Name
- BRINK'S INC., and on Counterclaim v. The CITY OF NEW YORK, and Counterclaimant BRINK'S INC., Third-Party v. John ADAMS, Anthony De Nardo, Trevor Fairweather, Richard Florio, James Gargiulo, Jorge Olivari and Michael Solomon, William J. Donovan, Francis Gitto, Ramon Hernandez, William Mclnerney, Anthony San Marco, Jose Rodriguez, James Springett, John Barrera and Joseph Nardo, Third-Party
- Status
- Published