DocketNumber: No. 062832
Citation Numbers: 2002 Conn. Super. Ct. 795
Judges: FOLEY, JUDGE.
Filed Date: 1/22/2002
Status: Non-Precedential
Modified Date: 7/5/2016
On June 4, 2001, the board moved to dismiss the case based on lack of subject matter jurisdiction. The board filed a memorandum of law in support of the motion to dismiss. Arriola flied a request for leave to amend the complaint on August 9, 2001, and a memorandum in opposition to the motion to dismiss on August 29, 2001.
The court will rule on the motion to dismiss before considering Arriola's request for leave to amend the complaint. "Whenever the absence of jurisdiction is brought to the notice of the court or tribunal, cognizance of it must be taken and the matter passed upon before it can move one step further in the cause; as any movement is necessarily the exercise of jurisdiction." (Citations omitted; internal quotation marks omitted.) Federal Deposit Ins. Corp. v. Peabody, N.E., Inc.,
"Practice Book § 142 [now §
The board argues that the court lacks subject matter jurisdiction because Arriola failed to exhaust his administrative remedies under the collective bargaining agreement. The board argues that Arriola is required to follow the grievance procedures in Article 3 of the collective bargaining agreement because his claims arise from the alleged breach of the collective bargaining agreement. The board contends that Arriola did not follow the grievance procedures and, therefore, the court should dismiss the case.
In his affidavit, Proctor avers that a collective bargaining agreement between the Windham Federation of Teachers and the Windham Board of Education governs the terms and conditions of employment. (Affidavit of Patrick Proctor, May 23, 2001 [Proctor Affidavit], ¶ 17.) Proctor avers that the progressive discipline policy is contained in the collective bargaining agreement. (Proctor Affidavit, ¶¶ 18, 21.) Proctor also avers that the collective bargaining agreement contains a grievance procedure to resolve any and all complaints arising from the agreement and that Arriola did not file a grievance in accordance with the procedures outlined in the agreement. (Proctor Affidavit, ¶¶ 19-20.) Proctor attests to the authenticity of the collective bargaining agreement and the statement of the progressive discipline policy attached to his affidavit. (Proctor Affidavit, ¶¶ 17-18.)
The collective bargaining agreement provides, in pertinent part, that "the Board and the Union agree that all disputes between them or between the Union and the administration shall be settled in accordance with the provisions of this grievance procedure and that all such proceedings shall be kept as confidential as possible." (Proctor Affidavit, Exhibit 3.) The agreement defines a grievance as "a complaint by an employee (i) that as to him or her there has been a violation, misinterpretation, or misapplication of the specific provisions of this Agreement; or (ii) CT Page 797 concerning his or her conditions of employment not covered by this agreement." (Proctor Affidavit, Exhibit 3.) Arriola's complaint alleges that the board failed to provide progressive discipline and that the board did not have just cause to terminate his employment. Therefore, the court finds that Arriola was required to exhaust the procedures for filing a grievance as provided in the collective bargaining agreement because the terms of Arriola's employment are governed by the collective bargaining agreement.
Arriola asserts that he does not have to follow the grievance procedures in the collective bargaining agreement because his cause of action is based on statutory and constitutional claims. Arriola contends that General Statutes §
General Statutes §
The Supreme Court has determined that §
Arriola's complaint is limited to allegations that the board breached CT Page 798 its express written promise by terminating him without providing progressive discipline and without just cause. The court finds that Arriola's complaint is premised on the alleged breach of the collective bargaining agreement, rather than an independent statutory or constitutional claim. Therefore, Arriola cannot avail himself of §
___________________ Foley, J.