Pinelawn Cemetery v. Local 365 Cemetery Workers
The case involves a petitioner's appeal to stay arbitration concerning the discharge of employee Edgordo Aponte. Petitioner contended that Aponte's claim was not timely filed as per the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), which required claims to be filed with the Union within 30 days and registered with the Employer within 10 days thereafter. Aponte was discharged on February 5, 1990, and the union orally notified the employer around February 8, 1990, but a written demand for arbitration was not sent until March 22, 1990, exceeding the 40-day period. The lower court determined that the CBA did not require written registration, and historical practice involved oral discussions for grievances. The Supreme Court, New York County, denied the petitioner's application, and this decision was unanimously affirmed, finding that the terms of the parties' agreement had been substantially complied with.