Northern States Power Co. v. International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 160

A careful reading of the arbitrator’s award reveals that he clearly made no finding of just cause. Since the arbitrator’s order to reinstate Curtis Snow’s position at NSP drew its essence from the collective bargaining agreement, I respectfully dissent.

After NSP and the union disagreed about the appropriate discipline for Snow, they put to the arbitrator the question of whether Snow was terminated for “just cause,” and if not, what the remedy should be. The phrase “just cause” is a “term of art that defines the many unrelated, independent acts that serve as grounds for employee discipline…