The Authority As to the Authority, the following section shall survive discharge: Section 2.3 (right to conduct audit).
Authority of the Arbitrator i. It is the intent of both parties to this Collective Agreement that no grievance shall be defeated merely because of a technical error in processing the grievance through the grievance procedure. To this end an arbitrator shall have the power to allow all necessary amendments to the grievance and the power to waive formal procedural irregularities in the processing of a grievance in order to determine the real matter in dispute and to render a decision according to equitable principles and the justice of the case.
ii. The arbitrator shall not have jurisdiction to alter or change the provisions of the Collective Agreement or to substitute new ones.
iii. The provisions of this article do not override the provisions of the B.C.
Xxxxxx of the Arbitrator It shall be the function of the arbitrator, and he/she shall be empowered, except as his/her powers are limited below, after due investigation, to make a decision in cases of alleged violation of the specific articles and sections of this Agreement.
1. The arbitrator shall have no power to add to, subtract from, disregard, alter, or modify any of the terms of this Agreement.
2. The arbitrator shall have no power to rule on any of the following:
a. Actions taken by the Employer with respect to probationary employees including, but not limited to, discipline and discharge.
b. Any claim or complaint for which there is another remedial procedure or forum established by law or by regulation having the force of law.
c. Any matter involving the content of an employee evaluation.
3. He/she shall have no power to change any practice, policy, or rule of the Employer nor to substitute his/her judgment for that of the Employer as to the reasonableness of any such practice, policy, rule, or any action taken by the Employer. His/her power shall be limited to deciding whether the Employer has violated the express articles or sections of this Agreement; and he/she shall not imply obligations and conditions binding upon the Employer from this Agreement, it being understood that any matter not specifically set forth herein remains within the reserved rights of the Employer.
4. He/she shall have no power to decide any question which, under this Agreement, is within the responsibility of management to decide. In rendering a decision, an arbitrator shall give due regard to the responsibility of management and shall so construe the Agreement that there will be no interference with such responsibilities, except as they may be specifically conditioned by this Agreement.
5. If either party disputes the arbitrability of any grievance under the terms of this Agreement, the arbitrator shall first determine the arbitrability of said dispute. By stipulation of the parties, the Arbitrator shall have the authority to concurrently hear both the jurisdictional issues and the merits of the dispute in the same proceeding. Should the Arbitrator determine that he/she is without jurisdiction to rule, the matter shall be dismissed without decision on the merits. Submission of jurisdictional issues to the Arbitrator shall not be regarded as a waiver by either party of its right to institute civil litigation contesting either the authority of the Arbitrator or any award allegedly rendered in excess of such authority.
6. There shall be no appeal from the arbitrator’s decision if within the scope of his/her authority as set forth above. It shall be final and binding on the Association, its members, the employee or employees involved and the Employer. Any litigation to vacate or enforce the Arbitrator’s decision must be initiated within six (6) months of the issuance of the Opinion and Award.
7. The fees and expenses of the arbitrator shall be shared equally by the Association and the Employer.
Expenses of the Arbitrator The fees and expenses of the arbitrator and any other common expenses shall be shared equally by both parties.
Jurisdiction of the Arbitrator The arbitrator shall have no power to alter, add to, subtract from the terms of this Agreement. The arbitrator's decision will be based upon the specific provisions of this Agreement. This arbitration provision shall be for grievances only.
ARBITRATION AND ATTORNEYS' FEES Any controversy or claim arising out of or relating to this Agreement, or breach thereof, including without limitation claims against either party, its affiliates employees, professionals, officers or directors shall be settled by binding arbitration in Los Angeles, California, in accordance with the Commercial Rules of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall be an active member of the California bar. In the proceeding, the arbitrator shall apply California substantive law and the California Evidence Code, except that the arbitrator's authority in awarding damages shall be interpreted under New York law. The arbitrator shall prepare an award in writing, which shall include factual findings and any legal conclusions on which the decision is based. Judgment upon any award rendered by the Arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having jurisdiction thereof. In any such proceeding, the prevailing party shall be entitled, in addition to any other relief awarded or adjudged, such sum as the Arbitrator(s) may fix as and for reasonable attorneys' fees and costs, and the same shall be included in the award and any judgment.
Arbitration; Attorneys’ Fees Except in connection with enforcing Section 10 hereof, for which legal and equitable remedies may be sought in a court of law, any dispute arising under this Agreement shall be subject to arbitration. The arbitration proceeding shall be conducted in accordance with the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association (the “AAA Rules”) then in effect, conducted by one arbitrator either mutually agreed upon or selected in accordance with the AAA Rules. The arbitration shall be conducted in King County, Washington, under the jurisdiction of the Seattle office of the American Arbitration Association. The arbitrator shall have authority only to interpret and apply the provisions of this Agreement, and shall have no authority to add to, subtract from or otherwise modify the terms of this Agreement. Any demand for arbitration must be made within sixty (60) days of the event(s) giving rise to the claim that this Agreement has been breached. The arbitrator’s decision shall be final and binding, and each party agrees to be bound to by the arbitrator’s award, subject only to an appeal therefrom in accordance with the laws of the State of Washington. Either party may obtain judgment upon the arbitrator’s award in the Superior Court of King, County, Washington. If it becomes necessary to pursue or defend any legal proceeding, whether in arbitration or court, in order to resolve a dispute arising under this Agreement, the prevailing party in any such proceeding shall be entitled to recover its reasonable costs and attorneys’ fees.
Decision of the Arbitrator The decision of the arbitrator shall be final, binding, and enforceable on the Parties. The arbitrator shall have the power to dispose of a grievance by any arrangement deemed just and equitable. However, the arbitrator shall not have the power to change this Agreement by altering, modifying, or amending any provision.
Costs of the Arbitration Each party is responsible for its own attorney, expert, and other costs and fees unless applicable law requires otherwise. Each party is also responsible for one-half of any costs and fees charged by the arbitration organization and arbitrator(s) to administer the arbitration to the maximum extent permitted by law or rule. Where permissible by law, the prevailing party may be required to reimburse the other party for the costs and fees of the arbitration organization and arbitrator(s) in whole or in part by decision of the arbitrator(s) at the discretion of the arbitrator(s).
Applicable Law; Arbitration; Attorney Fees The laws of the State of Texas govern all disputes arising out of or relating to this Agreement. The parties hereto acknowledge that venue is proper in Fort Bend County, Texas, for all legal actions or proceedings arising out of or relating to this Agreement and waive the right to sue or be sued elsewhere. Nothing in the Agreement shall be construed to waive the County’s sovereign immunity. County does not agree to submit disputes arising out of the Agreement to binding arbitration. Therefore, any references to binding arbitration or the waiver of a right to litigate a dispute are hereby deleted. County does not agree to pay any and/or all attorney fees incurred by SHI in any way associated with the Agreement.
