Civil Service Employees Ass'n v. County of Steuben
CSEA appealed an order that denied confirmation of an arbitrator's award and granted the County's cross-petition to vacate it. The dispute stemmed from a public employment contract concerning mileage reimbursement between CSEA and the County. The County changed its mileage policy, prompting CSEA to file a grievance, arguing that a 'past practice' had effectively modified the contract's terms. The arbitrator agreed with CSEA, but the Special Term vacated the award, ruling that the contract's language on mileage reimbursement was clear and unambiguous, rendering any past practice irrelevant. The appellate court affirmed the Special Term's decision, concluding that the arbitrator exceeded his authority by relying on matters outside the explicit contractual agreement, thereby creating a new contract for the parties.