GMRI, Inc. v. Garrett
Filing
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MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER granting in part Plaintiff's 2 MOTION for Preliminary Injunction as outlined at the beginning of this Memorandum Opinion and Order and holding in abeyance the remainder of Plaintiff's motion, which will be resolved according to the existing deadlines in this case and such other deadlines as may be entered subsequently by this Court. Signed by Judge Robert C. Chambers on 4/4/2014. (cc: attys; any unrepresented parties) (mkw)
IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR
THE SOUTHERN DISTRICT OF WEST VIRGINIA
HUNTINGTON DIVISION
GMRI, INC.,
Plaintiff,
v.
CIVIL ACTION NO. 3:14-0866
ONETHA GARRETT; WEST VIRGINIA
HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION;
ROBERT B. WILSON, Deputy Chief Administrative
Law Judge; and PHYLLIS H. CARTER, the Acting
Director of the West Virginia Human Rights Commission,
Defendants.
MEMORANDUM OPINION AND ORDER
Pending before the Court is a motion by Plaintiff GMRI, Inc., to compel arbitration and
for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief (ECF No. 2). For the reasons explained below, the
Court GRANTS in part the motion. Specifically, the Court GRANTS a preliminary
injunction prohibiting Defendants the West Virginia Human Rights Commission (“WVHRC”),
Robert B. Wilson, and whomever may replace Phyllis H. Carter1 from:
1) Adjudicating the claims and issues that GMRI and Defendant Onetha Garrett
assigned to arbitration pursuant to the 2013 Dispute Resolution Process (“DRP”) or,
alternatively, that DRP’s prior iterations; and
1
Phyllis H. Carter, Acting Executive Director of the WVHRC, was named as a Defendant in this
case. She passed away after being served with a copy of the Complaint but before an answer or
other responsive pleading was required to be filed. See Suggestion of Death of Def., ECF No. 11.
According to the notice filed, no replacement Executive Director has yet been named. However,
this preliminary injunction is to be equally applicable to whomever is named as her successor.
2) Interfering with the 2013 DRP or, alternatively, its prior iterations, and the arbitration
agreement(s) entered into by GMRI and Ms. Garrett. This prohibition includes any
WVHRC hearing regarding Ms. Garrett’s complaint to the WVHRC and the issuance
or execution of a decision or opinion purporting to resolve the claims that Ms. Garrett
brought before the WVHRC.
The Court HOLDS in abeyance the remainder of GMRI’s motion, which will be resolved
according to the existing deadlines in this case and such other deadlines as may be entered
subsequently by this Court.
I.
Background
From 1985 to on or about May 25, 2013, Ms. Garrett was an employee at a Red Lobster
restaurant in Huntington, West Virginia, which is owned and operated by GMRI. She filed a
complaint with the WVHRC on April 9, 2013, alleging workplace discrimination on the basis of
her race and age, in violation of the West Virginia Human Rights Act (“WVHRA”), W. Va.
Code § 5-11-1 et. seq. Compl. ¶ 23, ECF No. 1. Ms. Garrett filed an amended complaint with the
WVHRC on May 9, 2013. Id. ¶ 24. After Ms. Garrett filed her complaint with the WVHRC,
GMRI commenced the instant litigation, seeking to enjoin Defendants from interfering with
GMRI’s alleged right to have Ms. Garrett’s claims resolved through arbitration. The same day
that GMRI filed its Complaint—which contains argument about arbitration—it also filed the
pending motion to compel arbitration and for declaratory judgment and injunctive relief.
No party has filed a response in opposition to the motion to compel. However, Ms.
Garrett’s Answer provides specific arguments in opposition to arbitration. Garrett’s Answer,
ECF No. 10. Defendants Mr. Wilson and the WVHRC have filed a joint Answer, but that
Answer does not provide argument regarding arbitration other than cursory denials of the
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Complaint’s allegations. WVHRC’s & Wilson’s Answer, ECF No. 12.
II.
Legal Standard
The Fourth Circuit has explained the legal standard applicable to preliminary injunctive
relief as follows:
In order to obtain a preliminary injunction, a plaintiff must establish “[1] that he is
likely to succeed on the merits, [2] that he is likely to suffer irreparable harm in
the absence of preliminary relief, [3] that the balance of equities tips in his favor,
and [4] that an injunction is in the public interest.”
Kalos v. Greenwich Ins. Co., 404 F. App’x 792, 793 (4th Cir. 2010) (quoting Winter v. Natural
Res. Def. Council, Inc., 555 U.S. 7, 20 (2008); see also Real Truth About Obama, Inc. v. Fed.
Election Comm’n, 575 F.3d 342, 346 (4th Cir. 2009) (citing Winter for this same proposition).
III.
Analysis
The Court finds that all four of the requirements for preliminary injunctive relief are met
in this case and that, therefore, preliminary injunctive relief is warranted.
A. Likelihood of success on the merits
The Court finds that GMRI is likely to succeed on the merits of its Complaint—that is,
GMRI is likely to succeed in obtaining declaratory and permanent injunctive relief compelling
arbitration and prohibiting interference with GMRI’s asserted right to arbitrate.
A party moving to compel arbitration must satisfy certain elements in order to prevail on
its motion:
In the Fourth Circuit, a litigant can compel arbitration under the [Federal
Arbitration Act (“FAA”)] if he can demonstrate “(1) the existence of a dispute
between the parties, (2) a written agreement that includes an arbitration provision
which purports to cover the dispute, (3) the relationship of the transaction, which
is evidenced by the agreement, to interstate or foreign commerce, and (4) the
failure, neglect or refusal of the defendant to arbitrate the dispute.”
Adkins v. Labor Ready, Inc., 303 F.3d 496, 500-01 (4th Cir. 2002) (quoting Whiteside v. Teltech
Corp., 940 F.2d 99, 102 (4th Cir. 1991)). The question of whether to compel arbitration entails a
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very limited inquiry into the “gateway” issues of 1) “whether the parties are bound by a given
arbitration clause” and 2) “whether an arbitration clause in a concededly binding contract applies
to a particular type of controversy.” Howsam v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 537 U.S. 79, 84
(2002); see also Syl. Pt. 2, State ex rel. TD Ameritrade, Inc. v. Kaufman, 692 S.E.2d 293 (W. Va.
2010) (“When a trial court is required to rule upon a motion to compel arbitration pursuant to the
[FAA], the authority of the trial court is limited to determining the threshold issues of (1)
whether a valid arbitration agreement exists between the parties; and (2) whether the claims
averred by the plaintiff fall within the substantive scope of that arbitration agreement.”). “Unless
the parties clearly and unmistakably provide otherwise, the question of whether the parties
agreed to arbitrate is to be decided by the court, not the arbitrator.” AT & T Techs., Inc. v.
Commc’ns Workers of Am., 475 U.S. 643, 649 (1986).2
The first prong—the existence of a dispute between the parties—is clearly met and not in
dispute by the parties, as Ms. Garrett did in fact file a complaint with the WVHRC. The third
prong—relationship to interstate or foreign commerce—is also clearly met because GMRI does
business across state lines in owning and operating its restaurants. Mem. Supp. Mot. Compel
Arb. 7. The fourth prong is also met; in fact, Ms. Garrett concedes that she refused to arbitrate.
See Garrett’s Answer 15.
The parties disagree about whether the second prong is met—in other words, whether
there is a written agreement that includes an arbitration provision which covers the dispute. As
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GMRI argues that “[t]he parties have clearly and unmistakably provided that the arbitrator
should decide” whether an arbitration agreement exists and whether the agreement covers Ms.
Garrett’s claims. Mem. Supp. Mot. Compel Arb. 8, ECF No. 3. However, GMRI does not point
to any specific provisions which provide such an exception to the general rule. Regardless, for
the purposes of deciding whether preliminary injunctive relief is warranted, it is necessary for the
Court to inquire into all four prongs applicable to motions to compel arbitration.
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explained in the Complaint, Ms. Garrett signed acknowledgments that she understood and agreed
to be bound by various iterations of GMRI’s DRP—which included the requirement that parties
arbitrate employment disputes—in 1999, 2002, and 2008.3 Compl. ¶¶ 12-17, 20. Additionally,
she attended a training about an updated DRP in 2005. Id. ¶¶ 18, 19.
Ms. Garrett argues that although the DRPs may prohibit covered claims from being
pursued in a court, the DRPs do not prohibit bringing such claims in an administrative
proceeding, such as a WVHRC hearing. Garrett’s Answer 5. Although the DRPs may not
mention administrative proceedings explicitly, it appears at this point that the agreements
prohibit any dispute resolution mechanisms outside of those explicitly allowed in the DRPs. The
Court has not found any provision thus far which allows administrative hearings, which leads the
Court to conclude that administrative hearings are prohibited.
GMRI updated the DRP in 2013, but rather than having employees sign a new
acknowledgment, it instead posted a notice about the updates in its restaurants, including the Red
Lobster in Huntington. See Ex. 9 (notice of 2013 DRP update), ECF No. 1. That notice stated, in
pertinent part, that “[b]y coming to work here after July 15, 2013[,] you and the Company agree
to be bound by the updated Dispute Resolution Process.” Id. Ms. Garrett claims that she never
signed any agreement or acknowledgment about the DRP in 2013. Because the 2013 policy did
not become effective until July 15—after she stopped working—it is not clear that the 2013
policy even applies to her. Regardless, the 2013 agreement does not appear to change the parties’
obligations to arbitrate employment discrimination issues. Therefore, it appears that GMRI could
likely satisfy the second prong.
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Although a copy of the 2008 DRP is not provided, there is no indication that the 2008 iteration
of the DRP deviated from other iterations in insisting on arbitration as the final step for resolving
employment disputes.
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Ms. Garrett points out that arbitration clauses can be attacked pursuant to state contract
principles, including unconscionability. Garrett’s Answer 3. The Court agrees with that
proposition. Ms. Garrett further argues that, if the arbitration agreement is applicable to her, that
agreement “is an unconscionable contract of adhesion [and] it lacked consideration.” Id.
However, she argues no facts in support of that assertion. Because she does not even attempt to
argue why the contract is unconscionable or lacks consideration, such arguments do not impact
this Court’s finding of GMRI’s likelihood of success on the merits.
Additionally, Ms. Garrett cites to Syllabus Point Two of Copley v. NCR Corporation for
the proposition that, “[u]nder West Virginia law, an arbitration clause in an employment contract
cannot defeat a human rights action filed by the claimant pursuant to W. Va. Code, 5-11-13(b)
(1983).” Syl. Pt. 2, 394 S.E.2d 751 (W. Va. 1990). She suggests that, based on that case, she
cannot be forced to pursue relief solely through arbitration. This is the only case she cites in
support of this argument, and importantly, that syllabus point from Copley no longer stands in
light of subsequent legal developments. As explained by the Fourth Circuit after mentioning that
same point from Copley, “Whatever force Copley may formerly have had, its ruling on
arbitration cannot trump Gilmer [v. Interstate/Johnson Lane Corp., 500 U.S. 20 (1991)] and
Circuit City v. Adams[, 532 U.S. 105 (2001)]. The Supremacy Clause precludes any argument to
the contrary.” Adkins v. Labor Ready, Inc., 303 F.3d 496, 506 (4th Cir. 2002) (noting “Gilmer’s
and Adams’ endorsement of arbitration as a substantively equivalent means of resolving statutory
claims pertaining to employment”); see also Am. Gen. Life & Acc. Ins. Co. v. Wood, 429 F.3d 83,
90-91 (4th Cir. 2005) (citing Adkins for the proposition that this portion of Copley is no longer
valid).
The Supreme Court has also spoken on this issue. In Southland Corporation v. Keating,
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the Supreme Court discussed the enactment of the FAA, noting that “[i]n creating a substantive
rule applicable in state as well as federal courts[,] Congress intended to foreclose state legislative
attempts to undercut the enforceability of arbitration agreements.” 465 U.S. 1, 16 (1984)
(footnote omitted). In that case, the California Supreme Court below had interpreted a provision
of the California Franchise Investment Law to mean that agreements to arbitrate claims covered
by the Law were unenforceable. The Supreme Court struck down that interpretation, noting that
otherwise “states could wholly eviscerate Congressional intent to place arbitration agreements
upon the same footing as other contracts, simply by passing statutes such as the Franchise
Investment Law. We have rejected this analysis because it is in conflict with the Arbitration Act
and would permit states to override the declared policy requiring enforcement of arbitration
agreements.” Id. n.11 (citation omitted) (internal quotation marks omitted). Based on this
evidence, it appears likely that the FAA preempts West Virginia law (in this case, the WVHRA)
to the extent that it interferes with the right of GMRI to arbitrate its dispute with Ms. Garrett
pursuant to the arbitration agreement.
Ms. Garrett also states that arbitration is not an effective means for the vindication of her
rights under the WVHRA, but she provides no facts to support this argument. Therefore, that
argument is not considered.
On the basis of the evidence presented, the Court finds that GMRI is likely to succeed on
the merits of its underlying action, namely, its motion to compel arbitration and for declaratory
and permanent injunctive relief.
B. Likelihood of suffering irreparable injury
If a preliminary injunction is not granted, GMRI will likely suffer irreparable harm. See,
e.g., Kansas Gas & Elec. Co. v. Westinghouse Elec. Corp., 861 F.2d 420, 422 (4th Cir. 1988)
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(noting “serious, perhaps irreparable, consequence” being denied arbitration (citation omitted));
Reliance Nat. Ins. Co. v. Seismic Risk Ins. Servs., Inc., 962 F. Supp. 385, 391 (S.D.N.Y. 1997)
(“Reliance will suffer irreparable harm if it is deprived of its federal and state contractual right to
arbitrate its disputes with Seismic.”). GMRI would be deprived of the benefits of its arbitration
agreement. The parties have not updated the Court concerning whether, in fact, the scheduled
WVHRC administrative proceeding regarding Ms. Garrett’s claims occurred or the outcome of
any such hearing. Therefore, preliminary injunctive relief could possibly still prevent the
irreparable harm that GMRI faces.
C. Balance of equities
The balance of equities favors granting a preliminary injunction. Although Ms. Garrett
has an interest in the resolution of her claims, those claims can just as adeptly be resolved
through arbitration as through an administrative proceeding. No other issues of equity appear to
the Court which would merit a finding that this requirement is not satisfied.
D. Injunction being in the public interest
The Court finds that a preliminary injunction is in the public interest. Such an injunction
serves the purposes underlying the creation of the FAA as “a congressional declaration of a
liberal federal policy favoring arbitration agreements, notwithstanding any state substantive or
procedural policies to the contrary.” Moses H. Cone Mem’l Hosp. v. Mercury Const. Corp., 460
U.S. 1, 24 (1983), superseded by statute on other grounds, 9 U.S.C. § 16(b)(1). Although there is
a public interest in the adjudication of discrimination claims, that interest can just as successfully
be met through arbitration.
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IV.
Conclusion
For the reasons explained above, the Court GRANTS a preliminary injunction as
outlined at the beginning of this Memorandum Opinion and Order.
The Court DIRECTS the Clerk to send a copy of this written Opinion and Order to
counsel of record and any unrepresented parties.
ENTER:
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April 4, 2014
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