Alphonse Hotel Corp. v. New York Hotel & Motel Trades Council
Docket: No. 04-1757
Court: Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit; January 12, 2005; Federal Appellate Court
Plaintiffs appealed the District Court's judgment that dismissed their action under the Labor Relations Management Act of 1947, alleging unfair labor practices, intentional infliction of emotional distress, and seeking rescission of a labor agreement. The District Court determined that the arbitration clause in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA) required arbitration of all claims. Consequently, the court dismissed the case without prejudice, allowing for future arbitration proceedings. On appeal, the plaintiffs argued that their claims were not covered by the CBA's arbitration clause and that issues regarding their binding status to the CBA were also outside the clause's scope. They contended that the District Court misinterpreted relevant Supreme Court and appellate precedents. The appellate court reviewed the District Court's judgment de novo and agreed that the arbitration clause encompassed the plaintiffs' allegations and the rescission request, citing the clause's broad language that includes all grievances related to the parties' conduct. The appellate court found the plaintiffs' arguments unpersuasive, largely affirming the reasoning of Judge Chin in his Memorandum Decision. Thus, the judgment of the District Court was affirmed.