Arbitrator Exceeded Powers Afforded by Collective Bargaining Agreement Re: Time Limitations for Filing Grievances

In affirming Supreme Court’s determination that an arbitrator had exceeded a limitation on his power enumerated in the collective bargaining agreement (CBA), the Third Department explained:

It is well established that an arbitrator’s award is largely unreviewable….  However, such an award may be      vacated upon a showing that it “‘violates a strong public policy, is irrational, or clearly exceeds a specifically enumerated limitation on  the arbitrator’s power'” ….  Here, Supreme Court properly concluded that the arbitrator exceeded a specifically enumerated limitation on his power by failing to recognize the grievance and arbitration procedures as outlined in the CBA and, more particularly, the time limitation for filing grievances that is contained therein.  Matter of Adirondack Beverages Corporation…, 516022, 3rd Dept 7-3-13