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Case Law Database

Access over workers' compensation decisions, including En Banc, Significant Panel Decisions, and writ-denied cases.

Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 97 v. Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.

This case involves a dispute between International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 97 (the union) and Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation. The union sought to confirm an arbitration award that reinstated employee Patrick J. Rando, who was discharged by Niagara Mohawk after adulterating a drug test sample and later testing positive for cocaine. Niagara Mohawk counterclaimed to vacate the award, arguing it violated public policy related to nuclear safety. The employee, a Chemistry Technician at a nuclear power plant, had unescorted access to critical areas. The court reviewed the public policy implications de novo, citing NRC regulations (10 C.F.R. Part 26) that emphasize strict adherence to nuclear safety rules and the trustworthiness of personnel. The court found that the grievant's conduct directly contravened this well-defined public policy. Consequently, the court denied the union's motion to confirm, granted Niagara Mohawk's cross-motion, and vacated the arbitration award, dismissing the complaint entirely. Both parties' requests for attorney's fees were denied.

ArbitrationPublic PolicyNuclear SafetyDrug TestingEmployee DischargeCollective Bargaining AgreementDue ProcessTrustworthinessReliabilityReinstatement
References
28
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision
May 17, 1996

In Re the Arbitration Between Nuclear Electric Insurance Ltd. & Central Power & Light Co.

This case concerns a petition by Nuclear Electric Insurance Limited (NEIL) to compel Central Power and Light (CPL) to arbitrate a dispute arising from an insurance policy and to stay CPL's ongoing state court action in Texas. NEIL, a Bermuda corporation, had issued an extra expense policy to CPL, a Texas corporation, which included a broad arbitration clause mandating arbitration in New York City for most disputes. Despite this, CPL filed a breach of contract suit in a Texas state court after NEIL denied its claim for losses. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York rejected CPL's arguments for abstention and found that the arbitration clause was enforceable. Consequently, the court granted NEIL's petition, compelling arbitration and enjoining CPL from continuing its Texas state court proceedings.

ArbitrationFederal Arbitration ActContract DisputeInsurance PolicyStay of ProceedingsJurisdictionAbstention DoctrineChoice of LawEnforceabilityFraud in the Inducement
References
54
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Haughton v. T & J Electrical Corp.

Plaintiff Archebald C. Haughton, Jr., a maintenance worker at Hudson Valley Community College, suffered severe injuries from electrocution while attempting to restore power during an outage. Despite knowing that the power company, Niagara Mohawk, was assembling a crew, plaintiff's supervisors directed him to work on high-voltage equipment in a dark and smoky room, without proper protective gear. Plaintiff and his wife sued Niagara Mohawk and T & J Electrical Corporation, an electrical contractor, alleging breach of duty of care. The Supreme Court granted summary judgment to the defendants, concluding that the actions of the plaintiff and his supervisors constituted an unforeseeable intervening act. The Appellate Division affirmed this decision, absolving the defendants of liability.

Summary JudgmentProximate CauseIntervening ActElectrocutionWorkplace AccidentHigh VoltageDuty of CareNegligenceAppellate ReviewEmployer Liability
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Washington v. Niagara Mohawk Power Corp.

Plaintiff Dozier Washington, an African American employee of Niagara Mohawk Power Corporation, brought suit against his employer and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) after his 1994 demotion from electrician to meter reader. He alleged racial discrimination, a conspiracy to impair his rights under federal law and a collective bargaining agreement, and that the Union breached its duty of fair representation. Claims against the employer were previously dismissed. The court considered motions for summary judgment from IBEW and a cross-motion from Washington. The court granted IBEW's motion, dismissing all of Washington's remaining claims, citing insufficient evidence for the conspiracy and discrimination claims and finding the breach of duty of fair representation claim to be time-barred under both federal and New York state law. The court denied IBEW's counterclaim for attorney's fees and Washington's cross-motion for partial summary judgment, ultimately dismissing the suit in its entirety.

Racial DiscriminationEmployment LawUnion RepresentationSummary JudgmentFederal Civil RightsDemotionCollective Bargaining AgreementStatute of LimitationsConspiracyLabor Relations
References
23
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

United Electrical, Radio & MacHine Workers v. General Electric Co.

The Union, consisting of United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America and five of its locals, sued General Electric Company under the Taft-Hartley Act to compel arbitration of various grievances. Both parties filed motions for summary judgment. The central issues revolve around whether the 1956-1960 collective bargaining agreement provides for compulsory arbitration and if the grievances fall within its scope. The court found the contract language ambiguous, requiring extrinsic evidence for proper interpretation. Consequently, the court denied both motions for summary judgment, citing the presence of genuine issues of material fact that warrant a full trial.

Collective Bargaining AgreementArbitrationTaft-Hartley ActSummary JudgmentLabor LawContract InterpretationExtrinsic EvidenceAmbiguityFederal Rules of Civil ProcedureGrievance Procedure
References
22
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

International Union of Electrical & Machine Workers v. General Electric Co.

This case involves a dispute between the International Union of Electrical Radio and Machine Workers (Union) and General Electric Company (Company), and Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, concerning a 1966 Pension and Insurance Agreement and its incorporated Insurance Plan. The Union alleged the Company wrongfully rejected sickness and accident claims filed during a strike and, alternatively, sought reimbursement for employee contributions for coverage not provided during the strike. The central issue was the interpretation of clauses governing sickness and accident benefits during voluntary strike absences. The Court found that the Company properly rejected claims for benefits arising more than 31 days into the strike, dismissing the Union's first claim. However, the Court ruled that employees are entitled to reimbursement for the portion of their contributions related to sickness and accident coverage not afforded during the strike, and ordered an assessment of damages if parties cannot agree on the amount.

labour lawcollective bargaining agreementinsurance plansickness and accident benefitsstrikeemployee contributionscontract interpretationunjust enrichmentdamagesfederal court
References
6
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

United Electrical, Radio & Machine Workers v. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers

The plaintiff, United Electrical Radio and Machine Workers of America, filed a complaint against various defendants, including labor unions, union officials, installers, and a manufacturer of electrical equipment, alleging a conspiracy to deprive its members of collective bargaining rights under the National Labor Relations Act. The defendants moved to dismiss, asserting lack of jurisdiction and failure to state a cause of action. The court, presided over by District Judge Mandelbaum, determined that the National Labor Relations Board holds exclusive jurisdiction over such controversies. Furthermore, the court found that the plaintiff had not exhausted its administrative remedies before the Board. Consequently, the court dismissed the complaint, directing the plaintiff to pursue relief through appropriate administrative proceedings.

Labor LawJurisdictionNational Labor Relations ActCollective BargainingUnfair Labor PracticeAdministrative RemediesExhaustion of RemediesConspiracyBoycottMotion to Dismiss
References
23
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Dow Electric, Inc. v. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local Union No. 910

Plaintiff Dow Electric Inc. sought to vacate a Labor-Management Committee's award for violating collective bargaining agreements, while Defendant Local Union 910 IBEW counterclaimed for confirmation. The dispute centered on whether Dow Electric Inc. effectively terminated its collective bargaining authority with the Association before the 2000-2003 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) came into effect. The Court found that Plaintiff's July 31, 1998, letters unequivocally terminated the Association’s collective bargaining authority, and subsequent correspondence did not retract this. Therefore, the 2000-2003 CBA did not bind Plaintiff, and the Committee lacked jurisdiction over grievances based on it. The Court granted Plaintiff's motion for summary judgment regarding the 2000-2003 CBA award, vacating the $991,629.89 award. However, the Court affirmed the Committee's $63,011.48 award for violations of the 1997-2000 CBA, ruling that disputes based on acts prior to an agreement's expiration can still be arbitrated, and the awards for interest, liquidated damages, and back pay were plausibly grounded in the CBA.

Collective Bargaining AgreementLabor LawUnionSummary JudgmentArbitrationContract TerminationMulti-Employer Bargaining UnitPre-hire AgreementGrievanceAudit
References
8
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

General Electric Co. v. M/V Gediz

General Electric Company brought an action against Turkish Cargo Lines under the Carriage of Goods by Sea Act (COGSA) for alleged cargo damage. Turkish Cargo Lines moved for summary judgment, asserting that General Electric's claim was barred by COGSA's one-year statute of limitations. General Electric contended that Turkish Cargo was estopped from raising this defense due to its conduct, which supposedly induced General Electric not to file suit within the required period. The court conducted a hearing to assess the validity of the estoppel claim. Ultimately, the court found that General Electric failed to demonstrate sufficient conduct by Turkish Cargo to warrant an estoppel, noting that claimed extensions were invalid or made by unauthorized agents. Consequently, Turkish Cargo Lines' motion for summary judgment was granted, and General Electric's complaint was dismissed as time-barred.

COGSAStatute of LimitationsEstoppelSummary JudgmentCargo DamageMaritime LawShipping DisputeAgent AuthoritySettlement NegotiationsTime Barred
References
10
Case No. MISSING
Regular Panel Decision

Peterec-Tolino v. Commercial Electrical Contractors, Inc.

The claimant, an apprentice employed by Commercial Electrical Contractors, Inc., was terminated after allegedly threatening a project superintendent. He subsequently filed for workers' compensation benefits, citing a neck and back injury sustained prior to his termination. The claim proceeded under an Alternate Dispute Resolution program, where an arbitrator ultimately disallowed it, concluding it was an afterthought following the claimant's termination. The claimant appealed this decision. The appellate court affirmed the arbitrator's ruling, emphasizing that arbitration awards should only be vacated in limited circumstances such as fraud, corruption, misconduct, or if the award is irrational or exceeds the arbitrator's power. The court found the arbitrator's determination rational and supported by testimony, dismissing the claimant's allegations of fraudulent testimony and arbitrator misconduct as credibility issues appropriately resolved by the arbitrator.

Arbitration AwardCredibility DisputeCompensable InjuryAppellate ReviewFraud AllegationMisconduct AllegationAlternate Dispute ResolutionNeck InjuryBack InjuryEmployer Termination
References
6
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