39 N.Y.2d 845 (1976)
A party must exhaust all available and adequate administrative remedies before seeking judicial intervention, especially when a binding collective bargaining agreement provides a grievance procedure.
Summary
Ronald F. Rieder and others sought judicial relief against the State University of New York, alleging improper handling of funds. The Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division’s order, holding that the plaintiffs failed to exhaust their administrative remedies. The court emphasized the availability of a speedy grievance procedure in the binding collective bargaining agreement and noted no indication that the union was unwilling to pursue the grievance on the plaintiffs’ behalf. The court viewed the lawsuit as an attempt to avoid arbitration, the final stage in the grievance procedure, and rejected it.
Facts
The plaintiffs, Ronald F. Rieder et al., were involved in a dispute concerning the handling of certain funds at the State University of New York. The specific details of the fund mismanagement are not elaborated in the memorandum opinion but are presumed to be related to their employment. A collective bargaining agreement was in place that provided a grievance procedure for resolving disputes.
Procedural History
The plaintiffs initially sought judicial resolution of their dispute. The Appellate Division’s order was appealed to the Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals affirmed the Appellate Division’s decision, effectively ruling against the plaintiffs and requiring them to pursue administrative remedies first.
Issue(s)
- Whether the plaintiffs were required to exhaust the administrative remedies available to them under the collective bargaining agreement before seeking judicial relief.
Holding
- Yes, because the plaintiffs had access to an adequate and expeditious administrative remedy through the grievance procedure outlined in the collective bargaining agreement, and they did not demonstrate that the union was unwilling to represent them in pursuing that remedy.
Court’s Reasoning
The court emphasized the importance of exhausting administrative remedies before resorting to judicial action. The court found that the collective bargaining agreement provided a “speedy grievance procedure,” implying that it was both adequate and expeditious for resolving the dispute. Even with the plaintiffs’ concern that the funds might lapse, the court believed there was ample time to pursue the administrative route. The court stated, “For all that appears on this record, plaintiffs’ attempt to obtain a judicial resolution of this controversy was, in practical effect, an effort to avoid arbitration, the final stage in the grievance procedure. This evasion we reject.” This highlights the court’s disapproval of bypassing established procedures for dispute resolution. The court implied that the plaintiffs’ case lacked merit because they did not demonstrate any reason why the union would not have pursued the grievance on their behalf. The court viewed the administrative process as an essential step that could not be circumvented simply by preferring a judicial forum.