Redi-Mix, LLC D/B/A Custom-Crete v. Oscar R. Martinez

CourtCourt of Appeals of Texas
DecidedJuly 25, 2018
Docket05-17-01347-CV
StatusPublished

This text of Redi-Mix, LLC D/B/A Custom-Crete v. Oscar R. Martinez (Redi-Mix, LLC D/B/A Custom-Crete v. Oscar R. Martinez) is published on Counsel Stack Legal Research, covering Court of Appeals of Texas primary law. Counsel Stack provides free access to over 12 million legal documents including statutes, case law, regulations, and constitutions.

Bluebook
Redi-Mix, LLC D/B/A Custom-Crete v. Oscar R. Martinez, (Tex. Ct. App. 2018).

Opinion

Affirmed; Opinion Filed July 25, 2018.

In The Court of Appeals Fifth District of Texas at Dallas No. 05-17-01347-CV

REDI-MIX, LLC D/B/A CUSTOM-CRETE, Appellant V. OSCAR R. MARTINEZ, Appellee

On Appeal from the 95th Judicial District Court Dallas County, Texas Trial Court Cause No. DC-17-08755

MEMORANDUM OPINION Before Justices Lang, Myers, and Stoddart Opinion by Justice Myers Redi-Mix, LLC d/b/a Custom-Crete appeals the trial court’s order denying its motion to

compel arbitration of Oscar R. Martinez’s suit against it. Appellant brings one issue on appeal

contending the trial court abused its discretion by denying the motion to compel arbitration. We

conclude that some evidence supports the trial court’s order denying the motion to compel

arbitration, and we affirm the order.

BACKGROUND

Martinez alleged in his petition that he was “employed by the Defendant,” “Custom-Crete,

U.S. Concrete Company d/b/a Redi-Mix, LLC” from 1993 until his termination in 2016. He stated

in the petition that he was a “loader/operator” and that he “also cleaned the offices.” When a

manager at the defendant made racist remarks about Mexicans, Martinez “reported his racism.” In

2016, Martinez reported to the defendant’s management that he had pain in his shoulder; however, “the Defendant ignored him.” Four months later, Martinez reported that the pain was worse, and

he requested an accommodation. Martinez was then sent home. Later, someone from the

defendant called him and said he had reviewed video footage of Martinez cleaning the offices. He

told Martinez he “had too much arm movement on video,” and he told Martinez he was terminated.

Martinez sued “Custom-Crete, U.S. Concrete Company d/b/a Redi-Mix, LLC” alleging the

defendant terminated him unlawfully and violated the Texas Commission on Human Rights Act

and the Texas Labor Code by discriminating against him based on his disability and his national

origin. Appellant answered, stating it was misnamed in Martinez’s petition. Appellant then filed

a motion to compel arbitration and to stay further proceedings. Martinez responded, asserting

there was no arbitration agreement between him and appellant. The trial court denied the motion

to compel arbitration, and appellant filed this interlocutory appeal. See TEX. CIV. PRAC. & REM.

CODE ANN. § 51.016 (West 2015) (permitting appeal of orders under the Federal Arbitration Act

“under the same circumstances that an appeal from a federal district court’s order or decision

would be permitted by 9 U.S.C. Section 16”); id. § 171.098 (West 2011) (permitting appeal of

order denying motion to compel arbitration under Texas Arbitration Act); see also 9 U.S.C. §

16(a)(1)(B) (permitting appeal from order denying petition for order directing parties to arbitrate).

ARBITRATION AGREEMENT

The arbitration agreement in this case was part of an “Alternative Dispute Resolution

Plan.” The agreement stated any dispute regarding “Employee’s employment with an Employer

(‘Redi-Mix, L.P.’ or ‘Redi-Mix Concrete, L.P.’) shall be submitted to final and binding

arbitration.” The agreement stated it included claims “[t]hat Employer has treated Employee

unfairly or discriminated against employee in connection with a work related injury,” claims for

“wrongful discharge,” and “claims for discrimination (including but not limited to race, . . .

national origin, . . . or medical condition, handicap or disability).” The agreement also indicated

–2– in several places that the employer was “Redi-Mix, L.P. or Redi-Mix Concrete, L.P.” or “Redi-

Mix, L.P. and/or Redi-Mix Concrete, L.P.” Martinez signed the agreement, but there was no

signature or signature block for the employer. The agreement stated it “is expressly made pursuant

to and shall be governed by Federal Arbitration Act.” Although the agreement referred repeatedly

to “Redi-Mix, L.P.,” it did not mention appellant’s correct name, “Redi-Mix, LLC.”

MOTION TO COMPEL

In its sole issue on appeal, appellant contends the trial court abused its discretion by

denying appellant’s motion to compel arbitration.

Standard of Review

Under the Federal Arbitration Act, the courts decide “gateway matters,” including whether

a valid arbitration agreement exists. G.T. Leach Builders, LLC v. Sapphire V.P., L.P., 458 S.W.3d

502, 519 (Tex. 2015); In re Weekley Homes, L.P., 180 S.W.3d 127, 130 (Tex. 2005) (orig.

proceeding). To make that determination, Texas courts apply Texas procedural rules. In re

Weekley Homes, 180 S.W.3d at 130.

“We review an order denying a motion to compel arbitration under an abuse of discretion

standard.” Bonded Builders Home Warranty Ass’n of Tex., Inc. v. Smith, 488 S.W.3d 468, 476

(Tex. App.—Dallas 2016, no pet.). Under this standard of review, we defer to the trial court’s

factual determinations if they are supported by evidence, but we review the trial court’s legal

determinations de novo. In re Labatt Food Serv., L.P., 279 S.W.3d 640, 643 (Tex. 2009) (orig.

proceeding); Bonded Builders, 488 S.W.3d at 476. Whether an arbitration agreement is

enforceable is subject to de novo review. In re Labatt Food Serv., L.P., 279 S.W.3d at 643. Where,

as here, the trial court makes no written findings of fact or conclusions of law in support of its

ruling, “all facts necessary to support the judgment and supported by the evidence are

implied.” Retamco Operating, Inc. v. Republic Drilling Co., 278 S.W.3d 333, 337 (Tex. 2009)

–3– (quoting BMC Software Belg., N.V. v. Marchand, 83 S.W.3d 789, 795 (Tex. 2002)). We view the

evidence in the light most favorable to the trial court’s ruling and defer to the trial court’s resolution

of conflicting evidence. INEOS Group Ltd. v. Chevron Phillips Chem. Co., LP, 312 S.W.3d 843,

848 (Tex. App.—Houston [1st Dist.] 2009, no pet.). We affirm the ruling if it can be upheld on

any legal theory supported by the evidence. In re W.E.R., 669 S.W.2d 716, 717 (Tex. 1984) (per

curiam). We reverse a trial court for abusing its discretion only when we determine the court acted

in an unreasonable or arbitrary manner, meaning that it acted without reference to any guiding

rules and principles. Fitness Entertainment Ltd. v. Hurst, 527 S.W.3d 699, 703 (Tex. App.—El

Paso 2017, pet. denied).

Contract Interpretation

Arbitration agreements are interpreted under traditional contract-interpretation principles.

J.M. Davidson, Inc. v. Webster, 128 S.W.3d 223, 227 (Tex. 2003). If a contract can be given a

certain legal meaning or interpretation, then it is not ambiguous. Coker v.

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