Afscme, Council 4, Local 1565 v. Department of Correction

Summary

The court held that an arbitrator violated a clear and significant public policy by treating an employee’s application for and admission to accelerated rehabilitation as substantial evidence of guilt or culpability. Because that improper inference was the dispositive basis for finding just cause for the employee’s discharge, the arbitration award could not stand despite the parties’ unrestricted submission. The judgment was reversed and the case was remanded for further arbitration proceedings.