In re the Arbitration between International Union of Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers & Westinghouse Electric Corp.
The petitioner, an unincorporated labor association, sought a protective order to prevent the taking of depositions by the respondent. The dispute arose from a grievance filed by Local 601 regarding a local supplement to a collective bargaining agreement, which the respondent refused to arbitrate. The petitioner then initiated an action under the Federal Arbitration Act to compel arbitration. The respondent sought to depose various officials of the petitioner. The petitioner argued that discovery is not permissible in such proceedings without extraordinary need, that the depositions aimed to delve into the merits of the grievance (which is improper), and that they would cause delay and expense. The court denied the petitioner's motion, ruling that the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure apply to Federal Arbitration Act proceedings, permitting discovery into arbitrability, and that the respondent had shown expedition, with the petitioner selecting the forum.