Local No. 1710, International Ass'n of Fire Fighters, AFL-CIO v. City of Chicopee

This is an appeal by Local No. 1710, International Association of Fire Fighters (union), from the denial by a Superior Court judge of its motion to compel arbitration. G. L. c. 150C, § 2 (a). The union claims that the judge’s decision regarding the timeliness of the grievance was a ruling on “procedural” rather than “substantive” arbitrability in violation of the plain meaning of G. L. c. 150C, § 2 (a), settled State and Federal law, and public policy. The union also disputes the judge’s finding of fact regarding the timeliness of the grievance. We granted the union’s application for direct…