Marino v. Edward Axel Roffman Associates, Inc.
The petitioner, referred to as the Union, moved to confirm an arbitrator's award, while the respondent, the employer, cross-moved to vacate the award and enjoin arbitration, arguing pre-emption by a pending National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) grievance. The dispute arose from an alleged breach of a collective bargaining agreement concerning 'outside work' sent to other plants. During the arbitration hearing, the employer walked out after the arbitrator ruled to take evidence on the out-of-state plant, believing the issue was exclusively under NLRB jurisdiction. The court distinguished precedents cited by the employer, finding that a mere grievance, without a prior NLRB determination, does not establish res judicata or pre-emption. Consequently, the court granted the Union's motion to confirm the arbitrator's award and denied the employer's cross-motion.