Willis v. Prime Healthcare Services, Inc. , 180 Cal. Rptr. 3d 297 ( 2014 )

Filed 11/14/14
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION*
IN THE COURT OF APPEAL OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
SECOND APPELLATE DISTRICT
DIVISION FIVE
MAUCABRINA WILLIS, B253712
Plaintiff and Appellant, (Los Angeles County
Super. Ct. No. BC495910)
v.
PRIME HEALTHCARE SERVICES,
INC.,
Defendant and Appellant.
APPEAL from orders of the Superior Court of Los Angeles County, John Shepard
Wiley, Jr., Judge. Reversed in part; affirmed in part with directions.
Karasik Law Firm and Gregory N. Karasik for Plaintiff and Appellant.
Sheppard, Mullin, Richter & Hampton, Richard J. Simmons, Daniel J. McQueen
and Robert Mussig for Defendant and Appellant.
* Pursuant to California Rules of Court, rules 8.1105(c) and 8.1110, this opinion is
certified for publication with the exception of part III (C)-(D).
I. INTRODUCTION
Defendant, Prime Healthcare Services, Inc., appeals from a December 16, 2013
order denying its petition to compel arbitration and strike class claims. Plaintiff,
Maucabrina Willis, cross-appeals from a December 16, 2013 order denying her Code of
Civil Procedure section 128.71 sanctions motion. Plaintiff and defendant are subject to
both individual and collective bargaining agreements. Defendant argues plaintiff is
required to arbitrate her statutory claims under an individual arbitration agreement.
Defendant contends the individual arbitration agreement is enforceable because it is
consistent with the collective bargaining agreement. We agree with defendant and
reverse the order denying defendant’s petition to compel arbitration. We affirm the trial
court’s denial of plaintiff’s sanctions motion. Upon remittitur issuance, the trial court is
to compel arbitration and stay the action until completion of arbitration.
In the published portion of this opinion, we will discuss the relationship between
the individual and collective bargaining agreements. The arbitration clause at issue is
contained in the Fair Treatment Process (the individual agreement). Plaintiff relies upon
the decision in J.I. Case Co. v. NLRB (1944) 321 U.S. 332, 333-339 (J.I. Case) and
asserts the arbitration clause in the individual agreement is unenforceable. We conclude
that the J.I. Case opinion does not permit us to refuse to enforce the arbitration clause in
the individual agreement which is subject to the Federal Arbitration Act. (9 U.S.C. § 2.)
II. BACKGROUND
A. Class Action Complaint
On November 19, 2012, plaintiff filed a class action complaint against defendant
alleging Labor Code violations for: failure to pay minimum wages; failure to pay all
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Further statutory references are to the Code of Civil Procedure unless otherwise
indicated.
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wages owed upon termination; and civil penalties for inaccurate wage statements. In
addition, the complaint alleges an unfair competition cause of action in violation of
Business and Professions Code section 17200 et seq. The complaint alleges plaintiff was
a non-exempt clerk at Centinela Hospital Medical Center (the hospital) before being
terminated by defendant on December 11, 2011. During her employment, plaintiff
allegedly was not paid for all the hours she worked. The electronic system used by
defendant to calculate payroll systematically computed less total hours than the actual
time that plaintiff worked. As a result, plaintiff was not paid minimum wages for all the
hours she worked and received inaccurate wage statements. In addition, plaintiff was not
paid all wages owed to her upon termination. The complaint makes no reference to the
collective bargaining agreement.
B. Defendant’s Petition To Compel Arbitration
1. Overview of defendant’s arguments
On August 26, 2013, defendant filed a petition to compel arbitration and dismiss
the class claims. Defendant argued plaintiff was required to arbitrate her employment-
related claims pursuant to her arbitration agreement with Centinela Freeman Health
System. (The spelling of Centinela Freeman Health System varies at different parts of
the record.) Defendant is the parent company of Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC,
which purchased the hospital from Centinela Freeman Health System. Defendant
contended it was entitled to enforce the arbitration agreement because Centinela Freeman
Health System assigned its interest in all agreements related to the hospital to Prime
Healthcare Centinela, LLC.
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2. Stipulated facts
As part of the evidence, the parties stipulated to the following undisputed facts in
connection with the petition. On October 19, 2007, plaintiff was hired to work at the
hospital by Centinela Freeman Health System. On October 1 and 19, 2007, plaintiff
signed an employment application and employment acknowledgment form. Both forms
contain provisions whereby plaintiff agreed to submit any dispute regarding her
employment with Centinela Freeman Health System to binding arbitration. Also, a
collective bargaining agreement between the hospital and Service Employees
International Union United Healthcare Workers West (the union) governed hospital
employees in specified represented bargaining units. Plaintiff worked at the hospital in a
position within a bargaining unit represented by the union. She became a union member
and was covered by the collective bargaining agreement.
Further, the parties stipulated effective November 1, 2007, Prime Healthcare
Centinela, LLC acquired the hospital from CFHS Holdings, Inc., pursuant to an asset
purchase agreement. Under the asset purchase agreement, Prime Healthcare Centinela,
LLC recognized the union as the hospital representative of the bargaining units. Prime
Healthcare Centinela, LLC assumed all the legal obligations of Centinela Freeman Health
System with respect to the collective bargaining agreement. The collective bargaining
agreement continued to govern hospital employees including plaintiff after the hospital
was acquired by Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC. The collective bargaining agreement
expired on December 31, 2009, but remained in effect after its expiration. Plaintiff’s
employment at the hospital was terminated on December 12, 2011. On that date, the
provisions set forth in article 9 of the collective bargaining agreement regarding the
grievance procedure remained in effect.
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3. Defendant’s evidence
Defendant submitted the following documents in support of its petition: plaintiff’s
employment application; plaintiff’s employee acknowledgment form; Centinela Freeman
Health System’s Fair Treatment Process, which provided for arbitration of employment-
related disputes; and the asset purchase agreement between Centinela Freeman Health
System’s holding company, CFHS Holdings, Inc. and Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC.
The October 1, 2007 employment application with Centinela Freeman Health System,
signed by plaintiff, contains the following provision: “I understand that any and all
disputes regarding my employment with [Centinela Freeman Health System], including
any disputes relating to the termination of my employment, are subject to the [Centinela
Freeman Health System] Fair Treatment Process, which includes final and binding
arbitration, and I also understand and agree, as a condition of employment and continued
employment, to submit any such disputes for resolution under that process, and I further
agree to abide by and accept the decision of the Arbitration panel as the final and binding
decision and resolution of any such disputes I may have.”
The October 19, 2007 employee acknowledgment form signed by plaintiff states
in part: “In addition, I acknowledge that I have received and reviewed a copy of the
[Centinela Freeman Health System] Fair Treatment Process brochure. I hereby
voluntarily agree to use the Company’s Fair Treatment Process and to submit to final and
binding arbitration any and all claims and disputes that are related in any way to my
employment or the termination of my employment with [Centinela Freeman Health
System]. I understand that final and binding arbitration will be the sole and exclusive
remedy for any such claim or dispute against Tenet, or its parent, subsidiary or affiliated
companies or entities, and each of its and/or their employees, officers, directors or agents,
and that by agreeing to the arbitration to resolve any dispute, both the Company and I
agree to forego any right we each may have had to a jury trial on issues covered by the
Fair Treatment Process. I also agree that such arbitration will be conducted before an
experienced arbitrator chosen by me and the Company, and will be conducted under the
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Federal Arbitration Act and the procedural rules of the American Arbitration Association
(‘AAA’). [¶] I further acknowledge that in exchange for my agreement to arbitrate, the
Company also agrees to submit all claims and disputes it may have with me to final and
binding arbitration, and that the Company further agrees that if I submit a request for
binding arbitration, my maximum out-of-pocket expenses for the arbitrator and the
administrative costs of the AAA will be an amount equal to one day’s pay (if I am a non-
exempt employee), or the local civil filing fee, whichever is less and that the Company
will pay all of the remaining fees and administrative costs of the arbitrator and the AAA.
I further acknowledge that this mutual agreement to arbitrate may not be modified or
rescinded except by a written statement signed by both me and the Company.” The
references to Centinela Freeman Health System are handwritten into the employment
acknowledgment form.
The Fair Treatment Process is entitled, “Tenet Open Door Policy and Fair
Treatment Process.” None of the evidence sheds any light on the nature of any “Tenet”
entities’ relationship to this case. The Fair Treatment Process provides for a five-step
process that starts with informal discussion and ends with final and binding arbitration.
In Step 1, the employee is required to submit the dispute to a supervisor. Step 2 allows
the employee to appeal the supervisor’s decision to the department head. In Step 3, the
employee may appeal the department head’s decision to the hospital’s administration. If
the dispute is not resolved, the employee may appeal to the Fair Treatment Process
Committee in Step 4. If the employee does not accept the decision reached in Step 4, he
or she has the right to submit the dispute to final and binding arbitration in Step 5. The
Fair Treatment Process provides, “[T]he [Fair Treatment Process] does not apply to
employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement, unless otherwise agreed to by
such employees.”
The arbitration provision in the Fair Treatment Process states: “The arbitration
process is limited to disputes, claims or controversies that a court of law would be
authorized or have jurisdiction over to grant relief and that in any way arise out of, relate
to or are associated with your employment with the Company or the termination of your
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employment. In such cases, an impartial and independent arbitrator chosen by agreement
of both you and the Company will be retained to make a final decision on your dispute or
claim, based on application of Company policies and procedures and applicable law. The
arbitrator’s decision is final and binding on you and the Company . . . .”
The Fair Treatment Process also contains the following description of the
arbitration process: “The arbitration will be heard by an independent and impartial
arbitrator chosen by you and the company. By deciding to arbitrate the dispute, you also
agree that the remedy, if any, ordered by the arbitrator will be the only remedy as to all
matters that are or could have been raised by you in the arbitration. [¶] The arbitrator’s
responsibility is to determine whether company policies and procedures and applicable
law have been complied with in the matter submitted for arbitration. The arbitrator shall
render a written decision on the matter within 30 days after the arbitration hearing is
concluded and post-hearing briefs, if any, are submitted. [¶] The arbitration will be
administered by the American Arbitration Association (‘AAA’). The company and you
will share the cost of the AAA’s filing fee and the arbitrator’s fees and costs, but your
share of such costs shall not exceed an amount equal to one day’s pay for exempt
employees or eight times your hourly rate for non-exempt employees or your local court
civil filing fee, whichever is less. You and the company will be responsible for the fees
and costs of your own respective legal counsel, if any, and any other expenses and costs
such as costs associated with witnesses or obtaining copies of hearing transcripts.”
The asset purchase agreement between Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC and
CFHS Holdings, Inc. and Inglewood South Development Corp. is dated October 24,
2007. The sellers were CFHS Holdings, Inc. and Inglewood South Development Corp.
The purchaser was Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC. Under the asset purchase
agreement, the sellers assigned all of their interest in all contracts and agreements related
to the hospital to Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC. Article 1, section 1.1, subdivision
(d) of the asset purchase agreement provides in part: “. . . Sellers hereby agree to sell,
assign, transfer, convey and deliver to Purchaser at the Closing . . . all of [CFHS
Holdings, Inc.’s] and [Inglewood South Development Corp.’s] respective right, title and
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interest in and to the following tangible and intangible assets related to the Hospital
Operations . . . : (d) All of Sellers’ interest in and to all contracts and agreements related
to the Hospital [and] the Hospital Operations . . . .” In addition, Prime Healthcare
Centinela, LLC agreed to employ hospital employees under the asset purchase
agreement. Section 5.7, subdivision (b) of the asset purchase agreement states in part:
“Purchaser shall . . . offer to employ . . . all of the employees of Sellers who are involved
in Hospital Operations . . . . The offers of employment shall be on the same terms and
conditions (i.e. salaries, wages, job duties, titles and responsibilities, but not including
severance payment or bonus provisions, if any, under executive employment contracts)
provided by Sellers immediately prior to Closing.” Section 5.7, subdivision (b) of the
asset purchase agreement was amended on December 14, 2007. The December 14, 2007
amendment permitted Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC to make advance offers of
employment to Centinela Freeman Health System’s hospital operations employees
without requiring acceptances of employment.
C. Plaintiff’s Opposition
Plaintiff filed an opposition to defendant’s petition to compel arbitration on
September 27, 2013. She argued the collective bargaining agreement rendered the
arbitration agreement with Centinela Freeman Health System inapplicable. Plaintiff
contended: the private dispute resolution procedure in the Fair Treatment Process
conflicted with the collective bargaining agreement; the collective bargaining agreement
did not waive plaintiff’s right to bring statutory claims in court; defendant did not have
standing to enforce the arbitration agreement because the agreement was between her and
Centinela Freeman Health System; and she never agreed to arbitrate any employment
disputes with defendant.
In opposition, plaintiff submitted the collective bargaining agreement between
Centinela Hospital Medical Center and the union. The collective bargaining agreement
recognizes it is made not only between the contracting parties but on behalf of their
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successors or assigns. The collective bargaining agreement was executed on September
2, 2009. However, the effective date of the collective bargaining agreement was January
1, 2007, and continued in effect until December 31, 2009. As noted, even after the
December 31, 2009 expiration date, the collective bargaining agreement remained in
effect. The collective bargaining agreement specifies work rules and the wage scale. The
collective bargaining agreement contains no reference to the manner in which an
electronic system, such as allegedly used by defendant and discussed in the complaint,
was to calculate payroll.
The collective bargaining agreement contains a grievance procedure. The
collective bargaining agreement defines a grievance thusly, “A grievance is defined as a
dispute as to the interpretation, meaning or application of a specific provision of this
Agreement.” The grievance procedure specifies a three-step process for resolving
disputes. Step One specifies that the employee must make a reasonable effort to resolve
the dispute informally: “An Employee should make a reasonable effort to resolve the
possible grievance informally in a discussion with her/his immediate supervisor. If an
Employee is unable to resolve the possible grievance, the Union Steward (if requested by
the Employee) and Employee will have a discussion with the immediate supervisor.”
There is no requirement to comply with Step One if the issue involved a disciplinary
suspension or discharge.
Step Two requires that a written grievance be submitted to the “Facility’s
designated representative” within 15 days after the employee had notice of the grievance.
Irrespective of the employee’s notice, the grievance must be presented in writing within
30 calendar days after the event upon which it is based. Within 10 calendar days after
receipt of the written grievance, a meeting is to be held with the “Facility’s designated
representative” to discuss it. The employee, the “Union Steward and the Union
Representative” can be present at the meeting. Within calendar 10 days of the meeting,
the designated representative is to file a response to the grievance in writing. Step Three
of the grievance procedure then permits the matter to be submitted to arbitration by the
union. The grievance procedure specifies the manner in which the arbitration is to an
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occur. All of the time limits specified in the grievance procedure are to be strictly
adhered to unless mutually extended by the union and the employer.
At no time did plaintiff ever seek to enforce the grievance procedure in the
collective bargaining agreement. Defendant is not seeking to enforce the grievance
procedure and arbitration provisions in the collective bargaining agreement executed on
September 2, 2009. Rather, defendant is seeking to enforce an arbitration provision
pursuant to plaintiff’s separate individual agreement with Centinela Freeman Health
System.
D. Plaintiff’s Monetary Sanctions Motion
On September 27, 2013, plaintiff moved for monetary sanctions against defendant
“and/or” its counsel. Plaintiff argued the petition to compel arbitration was legally and
factually frivolous. She contended the collective bargaining agreement superseded and
rendered inapplicable the Centinela Freeman Health System arbitration agreement.
Plaintiff argued the Centinela Freeman Health System’s arbitration provisions were
inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Plaintiff also asserted the
collective bargaining agreement rendered defendant’s factual contentions about the
applicability of the Centinela Freeman Health System arbitration agreement patently
frivolous. She argued the petition to compel arbitration was brought for the improper
purpose of causing unnecessary litigation delay or expense. Plaintiff sought monetary
sanctions of $15,000 pursuant to section 128.7. Defendant filed an opposition to
plaintiff’s sanctions motion on December 3, 2013. Defendant requested monetary
sanctions against plaintiff for attorneys’ fees incurred in opposing her motion.
E. Trial Court Rulings
On December 16, 2013, the trial court held a hearing on defendant’s petition to
compel arbitration and the parties’ monetary sanctions motions. After hearing the
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parties’ arguments, the trial court denied the petition to compel arbitration. The trial
court found the individual arbitration agreement was inconsistent with the collective
bargaining agreement and thus unenforceable. The trial court denied both parties’
sanctions motions. The trial court explained: “It’s clear to me both subjectively and
objectively that counsel are just on different planets on this case. [¶] And I do believe
defense counsel is completely sincere when he says I just don’t see how the collective
bargaining agreement gets [plaintiff] anywhere. If there’s an argument to that effect, I
want to hear [plaintiff] make it so I know what faulty part of it to shoot at. [¶]
[Plaintiff’s counsel] is indignant in his level of disagreement. That’s fine, but I don’t
think there’s sanctionable behavior going on here on either side here. This is just
counsel, very able counsel, in good faith who are looking at opposite ends of the
telescope.”
III. DISCUSSION
A. The Individual Arbitration Agreement is Subject to the Federal Arbitration Act
This case is subject to the limited preemptive effect of the Federal Arbitration Act.
(9 U.S.C. § 2 [“transaction involving commerce”]; Allied-Bruce Terminix Companies,
Inc. v. Dobson (1995) 513 U.S. 265, 277 [“word ‘involving,’ like ‘affecting,’ signals an
intent to exercise Congress’ commerce power to the full”].) The United States Supreme
Court has expressly held a wrongful death suit against a nursing home was subject to the
limited preemptive effect of the Federal Arbitration Act. (Marmet Health Care Center,
Inc. v. Brown (2012) 565 U.S. __, __ [132 S.Ct. 1201, 1203-1204]; see Mave Enterprises,
Inc. v. Travelers Indemnity Co. (2013) 219 Cal.App.4th 1408, 1428 & fn. 6.) In addition
to defendant’s use of interstate commerce to purchase equipment, it receives
reimbursement from Medicare payments. Payments of Medicare or Medicaid funds are
transactions involving commerce. (Summit Health, Ltd. v. Pinhas (1991) 500 U.S. 322,
327 [“The provision of ophthalmological services affects interstate commerce because
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both physicians and hospitals serve nonresident patients and receive reimbursement
through Medicare payments.”]; United States v. Girod (2011) 646 F.3d 304, 315
[“Medicaid . . . is a federally funded program that indisputably affects interstate
commerce.”]; Thi of N.M. at Hobbs Ctr., LLC v. Spradlin (D.N.M. 2012) 893 F.Supp.2d
1172, 1184 [receipt of Medicare funding sufficient to create jurisdiction under Federal
Arbitration Act]; Trevino v. Pechero (S.D.Tex. 2008) 592 F.Supp.2d 939, 946 [“Plaintiffs
plead a nexus with interstate commerce through their and their patients’ participation in
Medicare and Medicaid.”]; Miller v. Cotter (Mass. 2007) 863 N.E.2d 537, 544
[“[A]ccepting payment from Medicare, a Federal program . . . constitutes an act in
interstate commerce.”].) Further, this case involves the effect of a sale of an asset in Los
Angeles County amongst Delaware corporations on a California arbitration agreement.
Finally, the present dispute arises in a business venture which has entered into collective
bargaining agreement subject to the Labor Management Relations Act. (29 U.S.C. §
185(a); see Knutsson v. KTLA, LLC (2014) 228 Cal.App.4th 1118, 1126-1127.) Thus, the
Federal Arbitration Act controls the enforceability of the agreement to arbitrate and
related standing issues.
B. The Individual Arbitration and Collective Bargaining Agreements
1. Plaintiff’s argument
Defendant challenges the trial court’s ruling that the arbitration provision in
plaintiff’s individual agreement is unenforceable because the individual and collective
bargaining agreements are inconsistent. According to plaintiff, the individual arbitration
agreement cannot be enforced. Plaintiff relies upon the Supreme Court’s decision
upholding a cease and desist order in J.I. Case, supra, 321 U.S. at pages 333-339. The
cease and desist order was issued by the National Labor Relations Board (the board).
Defendant argues there is no inconsistency between plaintiff’s individual agreement and
the collective bargaining agreement. Thus, defendant argues the individual agreement
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which contains the arbitration clause at issue is enforceable. After we apply federal
substantive law, including the common law developed by federal courts applicable to
collective bargaining agreements, we agree with defendant.
2. The role of federal common law in construing collective bargaining agreements and
how they affect the workplace
At issue in part is the effect of a collective bargaining agreement pursuant to title
29 United States Code section 185(a). Title 29 United States Code section 185(a)
codifies section 301(a) of the Labor Management Relations Act. (Pub.L. No. 101 (June
23, 1947) 61 Stat. 136, 156.) Courts typically refer to this statutory provision as section
301(a) rather than by citation to the United States Code (hereafter, section 301(a)).
Section 301(a) states in part: “Suits for violation of contracts between an employer and a
labor organization representing employees in an industry affecting commerce as defined
in this Act, or between any such labor organizations, may be brought. . . .” In many
cases, section 301(a) applies to efforts to compel compliance with grievance and
arbitration provisions in collective bargaining agreements. The United States Supreme
Court has explained: “Collective-bargaining contracts . . . generally contain procedures
for the settlement of disputes through mutual discussion and arbitration. These
provisions are among those which are to be enforced under § 301.” (Hines v. Anchor
Motor Freight, Inc. (1976) 424 U.S. 554, 562; see Winston v. General Drivers,
Warehousemen & Helpers (6th Cir.1996) 93 F.3d 251, 255.) In a moment, we will
explain how the preemptive effect of section 301(a) extends beyond the mere
enforcement of collective bargaining agreements.
The federal courts are charged with developing a common law that applies to the
enforcement of collective bargaining agreements. (United Paperworkers Int’l Union v.
Misco, Inc. (1987) 484 U.S. 29, 40, fn. 9; Textile Workers v. Lincoln Mills (1957) 353
U.S. 448, 456-457.) We and the federal courts have concurrent jurisdiction to enforce the
provisions of section 301(a). (Livadas v. Bradshaw (1994) 512 U.S. 107, 123, fn. 17;
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Charles Dowd Box Co., Inc. v. Courtney (1962) 368 U.S. 502, 507.) In resolving
disputes over collective bargaining agreements, we apply federal substantive law
including the common law developed by federal courts. (Livadas v. Bradshaw, supra,
512 U.S. at p. 123, fn. 17, 114 S.Ct. 2068; Allis-Chalmers Corp. v. Lueck (1985) 471 U.S.
202, 209.) There is a strong federal policy favoring enforcement of collective bargaining
agreements. (Groves v. Ring Screw Works, Ferndale Fastener Div. (1990) 498 U.S. 168,
173; Hines v. Anchor Motor Freight, Inc., supra, 424 U.S. p. 562.)
However, the preemptive impact of section 301(a) is not limited to enforcement of
grievance procedures or other collective bargaining agreement provisions. In Allis-
Chalmers Corporation v. Lueck, supra, 471 U.S. at pages 210-211, the Supreme Court
described the scope of potential section 301(a) preemption: “If the policies that animate
§ 301 are to be given their proper range, however, the pre-emptive effect of § 301 must
extend beyond suits alleging contract violations. These policies require that ‘the
relationships created by [a collective-bargaining] agreement’ be defined by application of
‘an evolving federal common law grounded in national labor policy.’ [Citation.] . . .
Thus, questions relating to what the parties to a labor agreement agreed, and what legal
consequences were intended to flow from breaches of that agreement, must be resolved
by reference to uniform federal law. . . .” (Italics added; see Evans v. Einhorn (7th Cir.
1988) 855 F.2d 1245, 1251.) A collective bargaining agreement is more than a contract.
It has been described as a “generalized code” to govern “a myriad of cases” which the
parties negotiating the collective bargaining agreement could not anticipate. (Bowen v.
United States Postal Service (1983) 459 U.S. 212, 224; Steelworkers v. Warrior &
Navigation Co. (1960) 363 U.S. 574, 578.)
The present matter falls within the context of the myriad of cases where the issue
of section 301(a) preemption and federal common law is relevant. As will be noted, J.I.
Case does not involve an issue of the enforcement of a collective bargaining agreement.
In fact, the core analysis in J.I. Case relates to the effect of the National Labor Relations
Act, not a collective bargaining agreement provision. Yet, in decisions applying J.I.
Case, the federal common law relating to collective bargaining agreements has been
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applied. Thus, we rely upon federal law applying provisions of collective bargaining
agreements in order to determine whether the individual agreement in our case is
enforceable. The issue posited by plaintiff is that either the National Labor Relations Act
or the collective bargaining agreement prevents enforcement of the individual agreement.
Once we determine the individual agreement must be enforced, then under the Federal
Arbitration Act, the agreement to arbitrate will likewise be enforceable.
3. J.I. Case
We turn now to the analysis in J.I. Case, supra, 321 U.S. at pages 333-339. In J.I.
Case, the employer offered each employee a uniform one-year individual employment
contract. (Id. At p. 333.) While the individual contracts were in effect, the union filed a
petition for certification as a bargaining representative with the National Labor Relations
Board (the board). (Ibid.) The board directed an election be conducted which was won
by the union. (Ibid.) The union was certified as the exclusive bargaining representative
for certain employees. The union asked the employer to bargain. (Id. at p. 334.) The
employer refused to deal with the union in any manner affecting the rights and
obligations under the individual contracts while they remained in effect. (Ibid.) The
board ruled the employer violated section 8 of the National Labor Relations Act by
refusing to bargain collectively with the union. (Ibid; 29 U.S.C. § 157; Pub.L. No. 74-
198 (Jul. 5, 1935) 49 Stat. 449, 453.) The board found the company had engaged in
unfair labor practices by twice sending circulars to employees taking the position that the
individual employee contracts barred union representation. (Id. at p. 334.) The board
found the individual contracts and circulars impeded employees in the exercise of rights
guaranteed by section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. (Ibid.; 29 U.S.C. § 157;
Pub.L. No. 74-198 (Jul. 5, 1935) 49 Stat. 449, 452.)
The United States Supreme Court affirmed, with modification, a district court
decree granting enforcement of the board’s cease and desist order. (J.I. Case, supra, 321
U.S. at pp. 334, 339-342.) At the outset, the Supreme Court explained the role of
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individual contracts in the collective bargaining context: “Collective bargaining between
employer and the representatives of a unit, usually a union, results in an accord as to
terms which will govern hiring and work and pay in that unit. The result is not, however,
a contract of employment except in rare cases; no one has a job by reason of it and no
obligation to any individual ordinarily comes into existence from it alone.” (Id. at pp.
334-335.) Later, the Supreme Court, while discussing the role of separate individual
contracts in collective bargaining cases stated, “In the sense of contracts of hiring,
individual contracts between the employer and employee are not forbidden, but indeed
are necessitated by the collective bargaining procedure.” (Id. at pp. 335-336.) Other
decisions have emphasized this language in J.I. Case concerning the legitimate role that
separate contracts provide in the collective-bargaining context. (Caterpillar Inc. v.
Williams (1987) 482 U.S. 386, 396 [“J.I. Case does not stand for the proposition that all
individual employment contracts are subsumed into, or eliminated by, the collective-
bargaining agreement”]; Branson v. Greyhound Lines, Inc. (5th Cir. 1997) 126 F.3d 747,
752 [In J.I. Case, the Supreme Court “specifically preserved the right of the employees to
seek damages for the breach of their individual agreements”]; Espinal v. Northwest
Airlines (9th Cir. 1996) 90 F.3d 1452, 1458 [the “Supreme Court long ago recognized the
viability of individual hiring contracts”]; Young v. N. Drury Lane Prods., Inc. (7th Cir.
1996) 80 F.3d 203, 206 [a collective bargaining agreement is not a contract of
employment, as employees are hired separately]; Loewen Group Int’l, Inc. v. Haberichter
(7th Cir. 1995) 65 F.3d 1417, 1422-1423 [the collective bargaining agreement did not
create an employment relationship, but one was established by an individual agreement
between the employer and employee]; see In re Roth Am., Inc. (3d Cir. 1992) 975 F.2d
949, 954 [“‘ordinarily a collective bargaining agreement . . . neither obligates any
employee to perform work nor requires the employer to provide work’”]; Int’l Ass’n of
Machinists & Aerospace Workers v. Soo Line (8th Cir. 1988) 850 F.2d 368, 375 [“The
[Supreme] Court has stated, simply, that certain individual employment contracts may
exist side-by-side with a collective-bargaining agreement”].)
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But, in J.I. Case, supra, the Supreme Court held an individual contract cannot
waive any benefit to which an employee otherwise would be entitled under a collective
bargaining agreement. (J.I. Case, supra, 321 U.S. at p. 338.) The Supreme Court
explained, “Individual contracts, no matter what the circumstances that justify their
execution or what their terms, may not be availed of to defeat or delay the procedures
prescribed by the National Labor Relations Act looking to collective bargaining, nor to
exclude the contracting employee from a duly ascertained bargaining unit; nor may they
be used to forestall bargaining or to limit or condition the terms of the collective
agreement.” (Id. at p. 337; italics added.)
The Supreme Court held an employee’s separate individual contract which is
consistent with the collective bargaining agreement may be enforced: “We know of
nothing to prevent the employee’s, because he is an employee, making any contract
provided it is not inconsistent with a collective agreement or does not amount to or result
from or is not part of an unfair labor practice. But in doing so the employer may not
incidentally exact or obtain any diminution of his own obligation or any increase of those
of employees in the matters covered by the collective agreement.” (J.I. Case, supra, 321
U.S. at p. 339, italics added.) Later decisions have emphasized, in varying language, that
an individual contract will not be enforced when it is inconsistent with a collective
bargaining agreement. (Johnmohammadi v. Bloomingdale’s, Inc. (9th Cir. 2014) 755
F.3d 1072, 1077 [“But the Court [in J.I. Case] also stressed that nothing prevents an
employee from making an individual contract with her employer, ‘provided it is not
inconsistent with a collective agreement or does not amount to or result from or is not
part of an unfair labor practice.’ [Citation]”]; McNealy v. Caterpillar, Inc. (7th Cir.
1998) 139 F.3d 1113, 1117 [individual contracts will not be enforced when they are
detrimental to the collective bargaining process]; Melanson v. United Air Lines, Inc. (9th
Cir. 1991) 931 F.2d 558, 561 [citing J.I. Case, a collective bargaining agreement
supersedes any inconsistent individual employment contract]; Porter v. Quillin (1981)
123 Cal.App.3d 869, 874 [“Normally, the collective agreement takes precedence over
any conflicting individual contract of employment”].)
17
As a result, in J.I. Case, supra, the Supreme Court held that the employer’s
reliance upon individual contracts as a ground not to bargain had no merit. In addition,
the Supreme Court held the board correctly found the use of the two circulars to explain
why bargaining could not occur was an unfair labor practice. (J.I. Case, supra, 321 U.S.
at p. 339.) The Supreme Court disapproved another portion of the board’s order which is
not relevant to our discussion. (Id. at p. 340.) Nothing in the J.I. Case opinion discusses
a duty to arbitrate under the Federal Arbitration Act.
2. The J.I. Case decision does not invalidate the arbitration provision in plaintiff’s
individual agreement.
The J.I. Case decision may not serve as a basis for invalidating the arbitration
provision in the individual agreement. First, J.I. Case is of limited application here. In
terms of the relation between collective bargaining and individual agreements, make no
mistake, it is controlling authority. But our dispute involves a related question, the
enforceability of an arbitration agreement subject to the Federal Arbitration Act. As to
that issue, J.I. Case is of limited relevance. The United States Supreme Court has
repeatedly emphasized that its decisions are not controlling authority for propositions not
considered by it in the case. (Landgraf v. USI Film Products (1994) 511 U.S. 244, 265
[“[T]he ‘maxim not to be disregarded that general expressions, in every opinion, are to be
taken in connection with the case in which those expressions are used.’”]; R.A.V. v. City
of St. Paul (1992) 505 U.S. 377, 386, fn. 5, 112 S.Ct. 2538, 120 L.Ed.2d 305 [it is
“contrary to all traditions of our jurisprudence to consider the law on this point
conclusively resolved by broad language in cases where the issue was not presented or
even envisioned”].) In terms of the enforceability of the arbitration clause, J.I. Case is of
limited controlling effect; there was no arbitration issue present in that litigation.
Second, as noted, the arbitration clause in our case is subject to the Federal
Arbitration Act. The parties do not dispute there is a liberal federal policy favoring
enforcement of arbitration clauses. (AT&T Mobility LLC v. Concepcion (2011) 563 U.S.
18__, __ [131 S.Ct. 1740, 1745]; Moses H. Cone Memorial Hospital v. Mercury Constr.
Corp. (1983) 460 U.S. 1, 24.) Thus, if there is no inconsistency in the two agreements,
the arbitration provision in the individual agreement must be enforced.
Third, the two agreements are not inconsistent for our purposes. The complaint
alleges an “electronic system” used to calculate payroll “systematically computed a total
number of hours” that was less than that actually worked. This was because the
electronic system automatically rounded the total time worked in a work period to a tenth
of an hour increment but the rounding was uneven. The effect of the electronic system’s
“rounding” was to inaccurately state the number of hours worked.
There is nothing in the collective bargaining agreement about the electronic
system or any rounding of hours worked. What is located in the collective bargaining
agreement is a specification of wage rates. The collective bargaining agreement specifies
rates of pay for a lab clerk, plaintiff’s job, and 105 other positions. The gravamen of
plaintiff’s complaint is she and other potential class members did not receive proper pay
because an electronic system rounded the number of hours worked to their detriment.
Nothing in the individual agreement, which contains the arbitration clause, expressly
refers to the use of any electronic system or the use of rounding for wage accounting
purposes. No inconsistency is present in terms of the relevant language in the collective
bargaining and individual agreements. But the “any dispute” language in the individual
agreement covers plaintiff’s statutory claims while the collective bargaining agreement
does not as we will now explain.
Reference to the collective bargaining agreement to verify wage rates or assist in
damage calculation is insufficient to preempt a separate agreement. This is in large
measure an issue of section 301(a) preemption. Plaintiff’s position is in part that the
individual agreement, with its arbitration clause, cannot be enforced because of the
National Labor Relations Act. That is the gist of the J.I. Case decision which held that
individual contracts could not be used as a bar to engaging in collective bargaining. Mere
reference to a collective bargaining agreement for damage computation ordinarily is
insufficient to implicate section 301(a) preemption in varying circumstances. (See
19
Livadas v. Bradshaw, supra, 512 U.S. at p. 125 [no preemption of Lab. Code, § 203
claim because the wage rates are specified in a collective bargaining agreement];
Burnside v. Kiewit Pacific Corp. (9th Cir. 2007) 491 F.3d 1053, 1073-1074 [mere
looking to the wage rate in a collective bargain agreement in order to calculate damages
is not a basis for § 301(a) preemption of a state law claim]; Wadsworth v. KSL Grand
Wailea Resort, Inc. (D.Hawaii 2010) 818 F.Supp.2d 1240, 1249 [“a court may look to a
[collective bargaining agreement] to determine damages without triggering the need for
preemption”].) This not a case which requires interpretation of the collective bargaining
agreement which generally results in a section 301(a) preemption finding. (Hawaiian
Airlines, Inc. v. Norris (1994) 512 U.S. 246, 261; Foy v. Pratt & Whitney Group (2d Cir.
1997) 127 F.3d 229, 233.) Nothing in the National Labor Relations Act, in general, or
the J.I. Case decision, in particular, has any preemptive effect over this litigation. Thus,
we conclude J.I. Case does no bar enforcement of the arbitration provision, which is
enforceable under the Federal Arbitration Act, in the individual agreement.
Finally, in terms of our published discussion, plaintiff argues the two agreements
are inconsistent because the arbitration procedures under them differ. As noted, the
grievance procedure provides for a three-step process to resolve disputes. Only after
Steps One and Two are unsuccessful, can arbitration occur at the request of the union and
then under a specified procedure. By contrast, the individual agreement provides for
arbitration under the procedural rules of the American Arbitration Association. However,
as noted, the collective bargaining agreement is not implicated in plaintiff’s dispute with
defendant. Further, the grievance procedure, which includes the arbitration provision in
the collective bargaining agreement, is limited to disputes over that document. As noted,
the collective bargaining agreement defines a grievance thusly, “A grievance is defined
as a dispute as to the interpretation, meaning or application of a specific provision of this
Agreement.” (Italics added.) There is nothing in the collective bargaining agreement
about the use of an electronic system to calculate hours and rounding those calculations
in a manner detrimental to an employee. The complaint makes no reference to any
specific provision of the collective bargaining agreement. Thus, for federal preemption
20
purposes, there is no inconsistency between plaintiff’s individual agreement and the
collective bargaining agreement.
One final note is on order concerning the relationship between the Federal
Arbitration and National Labor Relation Acts. A developing body of arbitral and labor
law opinions have discussed the procedural and substantive relationship between the
Federal Arbitration and National Labor Relation Acts. (e.g. Granite Rock Co. v.
International Broth. of Teamsters (2010) 561 U.S. 287, 299 [“We, like the Court of
Appeals, discuss precedents applying the [Federal Arbitration Act] because they employ
the same rules of arbitrability that govern labor cases.”]; Iskanian v. CLS Transportation
Los Angeles, LLC (2014) 59 Cal.4th 348, 373 [“[I]n light of the [Federal Arbitration
Act]’s “‘liberal federal policy favoring arbitration’” . . . that sections 7 and 8 the
[National Labor Relation Act] do not represent ‘a contrary congressional command’
overriding the [Federal Arbitration Act]’s mandate.”].) We need not discuss those cases
as they do not directly apply the J.I. Case opinion to separate arbitration agreements.
[The indicated portions of the opinion that follow are deleted from publication. See post
at page 26 where publication is to resume.]
2. Other Related Issues
The parties agree the collective bargaining agreement does not apply to plaintiff’s
statutory claims. But plaintiff contends the individual arbitration agreement is
inconsistent with the collective bargaining agreement. Plaintiff reasons the arbitration
clause requires arbitration of statutory disputes while the collective bargaining agreement
does not allow for it. Plaintiff argues the collective bargaining agreement did not require
her to arbitrate her statutory claims because there was no “clear and unmistakable
waiver” by the union. Plaintiff asserts her right to pursue her statutory claims in court is
a legal right that is not lost unless her union clearly and unmistakably agreed to
arbitration of union employees’ statutory claims. In support of her argument, plaintiff
21
relies on: Wright v. Universal Maritime Service Corp. (1998) 525 U.S. 70, 79-81; Flores
v. Axxis Network & Telecommunications, Inc. (2009) 173 Cal.App.4th 802, 806;
Marcario v. County of Orange (2007) 155 Cal.App.4th 397, 402-407; and Vasquez v.
Superior Court (2000) 80 Cal.App.4th 420, 434-436. But these cases only address
whether employees must arbitrate statutory claims under a collective bargaining
agreement. None of these cases involves an employee who is subject to both individual
arbitration and collective bargaining agreements. Here, the collective bargaining
agreement does not require plaintiff to arbitrate her statutory claims. However, separate
and apart from the collective bargaining agreement, plaintiff agreed to arbitrate her
statutory claims under the individual agreement.
Plaintiff also argues the Fair Treatment Process is inapplicable to her and other
union represented employees. The Fair Treatment Process states, “[The [Fair Treatment
Process] does not apply to employees covered by a collective bargaining agreement,
unless otherwise agreed to by such employees.” But plaintiff agreed to the Fair
Treatment Process as a condition of her employment. This occurred when she signed the
employment application and employee acknowledgment form. As noted, plaintiff’s
October 1, 2007 employment application contains the following provision: “I understand
that any and all disputes regarding my employment with [Centinela Freeman Health
System], including any disputes relating to the termination of my employment, are
subject to the [Centinela Freeman Health System] Fair Treatment Process, which includes
final and binding arbitration, and I also understand and agree, as a condition of
employment and continued employment, to submit any such disputes for resolution under
the process, and I further agree to abide by and accept the decision of the Arbitration
panel as the final and binding decision and resolution of any such disputes I may have.”
The October 19, 2007 employee acknowledgment form states in part: “In addition, I
acknowledge that I have received and reviewed a copy of the [Centinela Freeman Health
System] Fair Treatment Process brochure. I hereby voluntarily agree to use the
Company’s Fair Treatment Process and to submit to final and binding arbitration any and
all claims and disputes that are related in any way to my employment or the termination
22
of my employment with [Centinela Freeman Health System].” Plaintiff expressly agreed
to the Fair Treatment Process arbitration provision. Thus, the exclusion for employees
subject to a collective bargaining agreement is inapplicable to plaintiff. We need not
address the other issues raised by the parties.
C. Defendant’s Standing to Enforce Arbitration Agreement
Plaintiff argues defendant is not a party to the arbitration agreement between her
and her prior employer, Centinela Freeman Health System. Plaintiff contends defendant
does not have standing to enforce the arbitration agreement because it is not a signatory
to the agreement. We disagree.
Under the asset purchase agreement, Centinela Freeman Health System assigned
all of its interest in all contracts and agreements related to the hospital to Prime
Healthcare Centinela, LLC. As noted, article 1, section 1.1, subdivision (d) of the asset
purchase agreement provides in part: “. . . [S]ellers hereby agree to sell, assign, transfer,
convey and deliver to Purchaser at the Closing . . . all of [CFHS Holdings, Inc.’s] and
[Inglewood South Development Corp.’s] respective right, title and interest in and to the
following tangible and intangible assets related to the Hospital Operations . . . : [¶] (d)
All of Sellers’ interest in and to all contracts and agreements related to the Hospital [and]
the Hospital Operations . . . .” Plaintiff argues the arbitration agreement cannot be
assigned because it does not contain a successor or assignment clause. But a contract is
assignable unless the terms and purposes of the contract show it was intended not to be
assignable. (Essex Ins. Co. v. Five Star Dye House, Inc. (2006) 38 Cal.4th 1252, 1263
[“assignability is the rule”]; Farmland Irrigation Co. v. Dopplmaier (1957) 48 Cal.2d
208, 222 [“The statutes in this state clearly manifest a policy in favor of the free
transferability of all types of property, including rights under contracts. (Civ. Code §§
954, 1044, 1458.)”].)
Plaintiff contends she never agreed or intended that the arbitration agreement be
enforced by a successor or assignee of Centinela Freeman Health System. But plaintiff
23
was employed on the same terms and conditions of employment with the hospital before
and after it was acquired by Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC. One of the terms and
conditions of employment with the hospital included her agreement to arbitrate her
employment disputes. Under the asset purchase agreement, Prime Healthcare Centinela,
LLC agreed to continue employment of the current hospital employees. Section 5.7,
subdivision (b) of the asset purchase agreement states in part: “Purchaser shall . . . offer
to employ . . . all of the employees of Sellers who are involved in Hospital
Operations . . . . The offers of employment shall be on the same terms and conditions
(i.e. salaries, wages, job duties, titles and responsibilities, but not including severance
payment or bonus provisions, if any, under executive employment contracts) provided by
Sellers immediately prior to Closing.” Section 5.7, subdivision (b) of the asset purchase
agreement was later amended on December 14, 2007. This was done to permit Prime
Healthcare Centinela, LLC to make advance offers of employment to Centinela Freeman
Health System’s hospital operations employees without requiring acceptances of
employment. The amendment did not change the terms and conditions of plaintiff’s
employment.
In addition, plaintiff argues defendant’s status as the corporate parent of Prime
Healthcare Centinela, LLC does not confer standing to enforce the arbitration agreement.
But Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC, as the assignee, assumed the rights and duties of
the assignor, Centinela Freeman Health System. (Creative Ventures, LLC v. Jim Ward &
Associates (2011) 195 Cal.App.4th 1430, 1447; Royal Bank Export Finance Co. v.
Bestways Distributing Co. (1991) 229 Cal.App.3d 764, 768.) Plaintiff contends the only
parent corporation that is a third party beneficiary under the arbitration agreement is
Tenet. The October 19, 2007 employee acknowledgment form signed by plaintiff states
in part, “I understand that final and binding arbitration will be the sole and exclusive
remedy for any such claim or dispute against Tenet, or its parent, subsidiary or affiliated
companies or entities, and each of its and/or their employees, officers, directors or
agents . . . .” The arbitration agreement identifies Tenet, the parent corporation of
Centinela Freeman Health System. But, as an intended beneficiary, this does not mean
24
defendant has no standing to seek enforcement of the arbitration agreement, as the
corporate parent of Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC. Under the arbitration agreement,
Centinela Freeman Health System’s parent, subsidiary, affiliated companies or entities
may enforce the agreement. Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC has succeeded to the
rights and duties of Centinela Freeman Health System. It follows that defendant as the
parent corporation of Prime Healthcare Centinela, LLC has standing to enforce the
arbitration agreement.
Finally, under the Federal Arbitration Act, the assignee of a party to an arbitration
clause may enforce that agreement. (Koch v. Compucredit Corp. (8th Cir. 2008) 543
F.3d 460, 466-467; Britton v. Co-op Banking Group (9th Cir. 1993) 4 F.3d 742, 746;
DMS Services, LLC v. Superior Court (2012) 205 Cal.App.4th 1346, 1355.) Likewise,
equitable estoppel principles permit a non-signatory to a contract, such as defendant, to
enforce an arbitration clause. (Crawford Professional Drugs, Inc. v. CVS Caremark
Corp. (5th Cir. 2014) 748 F.3d 249, 255, 259-262 & fn. 9; see Arthur Andersen LLP v.
Carlisle (2009) 556 U.S. 624, 630-632.) There is no merit to plaintiff’s standing
contention.
D. Plaintiff’s Cross-Appeal of the Denial of Her Sanctions Motion
Plaintiff cross-appeals from the trial court’s order denying her motion for
sanctions. Under section 128.7, the moving party must show the challenged conduct is
objectively unreasonable. (Peake v. Underwood (2014) 227 Cal.App.4th 428, 440;
Guillemin v. Stein (2002) 104 Cal.App.4th 156, 167.) The trial court’s ruling is reviewed
for an abuse of discretion. (Peake v. Underwood, supra, 227 Cal.App.4th at p. 441;
Guillemin v. Stein, supra, 104 Cal.App.4th at p. 167.) Defendant was entitled to compel
arbitration of the plaintiff’s statutory claims under the individual arbitration agreement.
The trial court did not abuse its discretion in denying the sanctions motion.
25
[The balance of the opinion is to be published.]
IV. DISPOSITION
The order denying the petition to compel arbitration is reversed. The order
denying the sanctions motion is affirmed. Defendant, Prime Healthcare Services, Inc., is
to recover its costs incurred on appeal from plaintiff, Maucabrina Willis. Upon remittitur
issuance, the trial court is to compel arbitration as discussed in the body of this opinion
and stay the action until completion of arbitration.
CERTIFIED FOR PARTIAL PUBLICATION
TURNER, P. J.
We concur:
KRIEGLER, J.
MINK, J.*
*
Retired Judge of the Los Angeles Superior Court, assigned by the Chief Justice
pursuant to article VI, section 6 of the California Constitution.
26