In re the Arbitration between Riccardi & Modern Silver Linen Supply Co.

Memorandum. We affirm the order of the Appellate Division.

Asserting a claim that petitioner, a former employee, had breached restrictive covenants not to compete in each of three employment contracts containing broad arbitration clauses, respondent sought arbitration. In turn, petitioner commenced a proceeding pursuant to CPLR 7503 to stay arbitration claiming, inter alia, that two of the contracts were void for lack of mutuality of obligation, that the restrictive covenants were in restraint of trade and against public policy and, finally, that the third agreement superseded the previous two.