74 N.Y.2d 912 (1989)
When an arbitration clause in a collective bargaining agreement is broad enough to encompass the subject matter of a dispute, the question of the scope of the substantive provisions of the contract is a matter of contract interpretation for the arbitrator, not the courts.
Summary
The Watertown Education Association sought arbitration, alleging the Board of Education violated their collective bargaining agreement by failing to distribute funds received under Education Law § 3602 (27) to a member. The Board argued the “Excellence in Teaching” (EIT) agreement was separate and not subject to arbitration. The Supreme Court granted the Board’s petition to stay arbitration. The Court of Appeals reversed, holding that the agreement to arbitrate was clear and broad and that determining whether the dispute fell within the scope of the arbitration provision was the arbitrator’s responsibility, not the court’s. The court emphasized that CPLR 7501 prohibits a court from considering the merits of the claim when arbitration is sought.
Facts
The Watertown Education Association (respondent) claimed that the Board of Education of the Watertown City School District (petitioner) violated their collective bargaining agreement, specifically exhibit B concerning the salary schedule. The Association alleged the Board failed to distribute funds received pursuant to Education Law § 3602 (27) to one of its members. These funds, known as EIT funds, were considered part of the teacher’s salary for the school year. The collective bargaining agreement contained an arbitration clause.
Procedural History
The Watertown Education Association sought arbitration. The Board of Education commenced a proceeding under CPLR 7503 to stay arbitration, arguing the EIT agreement was separate from the collective bargaining agreement. The Supreme Court vacated the demand for arbitration and granted the Board’s petition to stay arbitration, concluding the dispute was not arbitrable. The Appellate Division affirmed. The Court of Appeals reversed the Appellate Division’s order.
Issue(s)
Whether a dispute over the distribution of EIT funds, arguably covered by a separate agreement, falls within the scope of a broad arbitration clause in a collective bargaining agreement, thus requiring arbitration.
Holding
Yes, because the parties’ agreement to arbitrate is clear and unequivocal, and the arbitration clause in the collective bargaining agreement is broad enough to encompass the subject matter of the dispute. Any dispute as to the coverage of the substantive provisions of the contract is for the arbitrator to resolve.
Court’s Reasoning
The Court of Appeals emphasized that if the arbitration clause is broad enough to encompass the subject matter of the dispute, the scope of the substantive provisions is a matter of contract interpretation for the arbitrator. The court cited Board of Educ. v Barni, 49 NY2d 311, 314, stating, “[t]he question of the scope of the substantive provisions of the contract is itself a matter of contract interpretation and application, and hence it must be deemed a matter for resolution by the arbitrator.” The court also noted that CPLR 7501 prohibits courts from considering the merits of the claim when arbitration is sought. The arbitration clause defined a “grievance” as “[A] claim by any party to the contract that there has been a violation, misinterpretation or misapplication of: (a) law; (b) the employment contract; (c) by-laws and written policies or any unilateral attempt to change the terms and conditions of employment.” The court found that the Supreme Court improperly focused on the separate terms of the EIT agreement instead of determining whether the dispute fell within the scope of the collective bargaining agreement’s arbitration provision. The court emphasized that it was not the court’s role to inject itself into determining the underlying merits of this arbitrable contract dispute.