Ohio Council 8, Afscme, Afl-Cio v. Lakewood

Summary

The Ohio Supreme Court held that the State Employment Relations Board does not have exclusive jurisdiction over the union’s application to compel arbitration because the union did not allege an unfair labor practice under R.C. 4117.11. The court affirmed that the right to enforce an arbitration clause in a collective‑bargaining agreement is a contractual right independent of Chapter 4117, and that R.C. 4117.09(B)(1) permits suits in a common‑pleas court for violations of the grievance procedure. Accordingly, the Court reversed the appellate court’s judgment and remanded for further consideration.