Industrial Professional & Technical Workers International Union v. Worldtec Group International

AMENDED MEMORANDUM *

Worldtec Group International, Inc. (‘WGI”) appeals a decision of the district court confirming an arbitration award granted in favor of the Industrial Professional and Technical Workers International Union, SIUNA, AFL-CIO (“the Union”). The Union cross-appeals the order of the district court holding that its confirmation order was not an injunction that should have been enforced through the court’s contempt powers. We affirm the district court. Because the parties are familiar with the factual and procedural history of the cases, we will not recount it here.

I

WGI’s primary argument on appeal is that it was under no obligation to submit to arbitration. WGI argues that the Union had disclaimed its interest in representing WGI employees through a letter the Union’s president sent to a third party indicating that the Union had “decided to have another union come in and take over the contract.”

WGI’s contention is precluded by collateral estoppel. Under the doctrine of collateral estoppel, a court’s decision on an issue of fact or law necessary to its judgment precludes relitigation of that issue in different causes of action filed against the same party.…