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Interstate Bakeries Corp. v. Bakery, Cracker, Pie & Yeast Wagon Drivers Union, Local 734, International Brotherhood of Teamsters
Citations: 201 N.E.2d 452; 31 Ill. 2d 317; 1964 Ill. LEXIS 256Docket: 38398
Court: Illinois Supreme Court; September 29, 1964; Illinois; State Supreme Court
Interstate Bakeries Corporation (plaintiff) and Bakery, Cracker, Pie and Yeast Wagon Drivers Union, Local 734 (defendant) entered a collective bargaining agreement that included arbitration provisions and prohibited strikes or lockouts during arbitration. A dispute arose over driver payment interpretations, leading to a strike. The employer sought specific performance of the arbitration agreement and an injunction against the strike in Cook County Circuit Court. Initially, a temporary injunction was granted but later dissolved as deliveries resumed under the union's pay interpretation. The court ordered the union to arbitration but denied the employer's request for injunction relief. The union appealed, arguing that enforcing the arbitration agreement violated the Illinois Constitution. The employer cross-appealed regarding the injunction denial. The court noted that constitutional claims must be raised and addressed in the trial court to invoke direct appeal jurisdiction. The union claimed the arbitration clause was unconstitutional and unenforceable under Illinois common law, which historically did not support arbitration agreements for future disputes due to public policy concerns. However, the Uniform Arbitration Act of 1961 rendered such agreements valid and enforceable, and the union did not challenge the statute's constitutionality. The trial court based its decision on federal law rather than Illinois law, citing the Labor Management Relations Act of 1947. As the court found no jurisdiction for direct appeal, the case was transferred to the Appellate Court, First District.