Learning Goal: I'm working on a management case study and need an explanation and answer to help me learn.Create one arbitration brief as a member of a unionBackground of grievance to be arbitrated:
1. On April 1 of this year, James J. (J.J.) Toker failed to show up to his shift at the ABC
Manufacturing Co. Later that morning, his supervisor, Bob Lawful, noticed while reading the
local paper that Toker had been arrested for possession of methamphetamine and intent to
distribute, both felony crimes. A clipping of the newspaper article is included. (Exhibit A)
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2. ABC Manufacturing Company is a governmental contractor who provides military equipment
and services for many federal agencies, including the Central Intelligence Agency and the
Department of Defense. Due to the sensitive nature of the work, the government contracts state
that workers must pass federal background checks and maintain security clearances. 3. Lawful immediately informed the plant manager, Jamie Colbert, of the situation involving
Toker’s being absent for work and his arrest. 4. On April 2, Colbert wrote a letter to Mr. Toker (Exhibit B), wherein he announced that Toker was
suspended without pay until further notice because of the two felony charges against him.
5. On April 3, Mr. Eddie Jones, vice president of Local 345, filed the attached grievance (Step 1—
Exhibit C). 6. On April 4, Jamie Colbert submitted the Company Response (Step 2—Exhibit D) on the
grievance form.
7. On April 4, Eddie Jones, submitted the Union Response (Step 3—Exhibit D, please note it is
included on the same form as Step 2) requesting arbitration.
8. The relevant portion(s) of the Collective Bargaining Agreement are also presented as Exhibit E. 9. Additionally, according to this particular Collective Bargaining Agreement, the parties have
pre-selected Arbitrator Joel W. Barnaby to hear all arbitration matters between the parties.
The CBA also allows for arbitration hearings to be conducted by briefs. 10. Because there is no live witness testimony in this matter, you can assume the following
facts: A). A witness deposition has been held later in April with Mr. Toker, union representatives,
and company representatives, including Mr. Colbert, all present; B). Toker admits he has been charged with the two felony crimes;
C). Toker also admits that he will be unable to work often because of the pending charges
(going to court, meeting with his lawyer, etc); and
D). Mr. Colbert also testified at the deposition that ABC Manufacturing Co, has contracts
with governmental agencies (namely the CIA and Department of Defense) which require
ABC employees to maintain current federal security clearances.
11. In this particular instance, both representatives for the company and the union have agreed
to have Arbitrator Barnaby hear this matter via briefs. Also, assume that the grievance
procedures were followed correctly (meaning both management and the union properly
followed the steps contained in the grievance article of the CBA).
****Please review all of the documents and information above. The exhibits are located in
other documents provided.
Please include the following in your individual brief:
Names of those involved in the case;
A statement of the issue(s) involved;
A statement of the facts surrounding the grievance filed to arbitration (what
happened to get the parties into arbitration);
Citations of pertinent provisions of the labor agreement and discussion of those
provisions and application thereof;
A brief summary of management and union arguments (what your side seeks and
what you think the other side will seek— basically whether you are management
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asserting that “just cause” for suspension exists and the grievance should be denied
OR whether you are the union asserting that “just cause” does not exist and the
grievance be upheld and the suspension should be set aside/overturned);
A brief analysis of the evidence and arguments in relation to the contract language
and whether just cause exists for suspension of Toker; think about what we’ve
studied and all the facts and exhibits given to you;
What your side (whether management or union) seeks as the Arbitrator’s ultimate
decision/award.
You should use the materials found in the textbook and power point slides
(especially Unit Six) concerning the arbitration process and what constitutes “just
cause” from the textbook , power points, and the audio lectures as your guide to
develop the arguments for your particular side, whether you are management
asserting that “just cause” for suspension exists and the grievance should be denied
OR whether you are the union asserting that “just cause” does not exist and the
grievance be upheld and the suspension should be set aside/overturned;
Be creative and think! The facts have been purposefully presented so that good
arguments by both management and the union can be made in your specific
individual brief.