Austin v. U S West, Inc.

Opinion by

Judge BRIGGS.

Defendants, U S West, Inc., U S West Overseas Operations, Inc., and U S West International, Inc., appeal the order of the trial court finding that the claims of plaintiffs, Douglas Austin and Nicholas Bate (employees) and Nada Austin and Ange Bate (wives), were not subject to the arbitration clause in the employees’ employment agreements. We affirm in part, reverse in part, and remand with directions.

The employees each responded to advertisements concerning employment with defendants in Russia to operate a cellular phone joint venture. After negotiations with defendants…