Skerlec v. Ganley Chevrolet, Inc.

2012 Ohio 5748

• Court: Ohio Court of Appeals
• Decided: December 6, 2012
• Docket: 98247
• Status: Published

Opinion

[Cite as Skerlec v. Ganley Chevrolet, Inc., 2012-Ohio-5748.]

Court of Appeals of Ohio EIGHTH APPELLATE DISTRICT COUNTY OF CUYAHOGA

JOURNAL ENTRY AND OPINION No. 98247

JAMES E. SKERLEC, JR. PLAINTIFF-APPELLANT

vs.

GANLEY CHEVROLET, INC., ET AL. DEFENDANTS-APPELLEES

JUDGMENT: AFFIRMED IN PART, REVERSED IN PART, AND REMANDED

Civil Appeal from the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Case No. CV-768477

BEFORE: Boyle, P.J., Cooney, J., and Kilbane, J.

RELEASED AND JOURNALIZED: December 6, 2012

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLANT

Joseph J. Triscaro Robert P. DeMarco DeMarco & Triscaro, Ltd. 30505 Bainbridge Road Suite 225 Solon, Ohio 44139

ATTORNEYS FOR APPELLEES

Gregory A. Gordillo Michael J. Gordillo Gordillo & Gordillo, LLC 1370 Ontario Street Suite 2000 Cleveland, Ohio 44113

A. Steven Dever Law Offices of A. Steven Dever Co., LPA 13363 Madison Avenue Lakewood, Ohio 44107

MARY J. BOYLE, P.J.:

{¶1} Plaintiff-appellant, James E. Skerlec, Jr. (“Skerlec”), appeals the

trial court’s granting the motion to stay pending arbitration filed by

defendant-appellees, Ganley Chevrolet, Inc., and Ganley Chevrolet of Aurora, LLC (collectively referred to as “Ganley”). Finding some merit to the appeal,

we affirm in part and reverse in part.

Procedural History and Facts

{¶2} Ganley hired Skerlec as an automotive technician in August

2009. Shortly thereafter, Skerlec joined the International Association of

Machinists and Aerospace Workers, Local Lodge 163 (“the Union”). On June

28, 2011, following Ganley’s and the Union’s failure to agree to the terms of a

collective bargaining agreement, Ganley called for a vote amongst its

automotive technicians “to determine who was for and against the Union.”

Skerlec was one of five technicians that voted in favor of the Union; three

others voted against it. Two days later, a general manager at Ganley

accused Skerlec of stealing and offered him two options: resign or be

terminated and prosecuted for theft. He refused to resign, and the Portage

County prosecutor’s office charged him. The Portage County Common Pleas

Court later granted a motion to dismiss the charges.

{¶3} As a result of his termination, Skerlec filed suit against Ganley,

alleging wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, malicious

prosecution, abuse of process, intentional infliction of emotional distress,

unlawful wage withholding, and seeking punitive damages. According to

Skerlec’s complaint, it was customary for the automotive technicians to gather the scrap metal left- over from servicing vehicles, sell the metal to a

scrapping company, and then divide the proceeds between all the technicians.

Skerlec alleged that this practice was known by Ganley and never

discouraged. Skerlec further alleged that another technician, who had also

engaged in the same practice of selling the scrap metal to a scrapping

company, was never prosecuted or terminated. This employee, however, had

voted against keeping the Union.

{¶4} Ganley moved to dismiss the complaint, arguing that the

complaint failed to state sufficient facts to support the claims, which Skerlec

opposed. The trial court denied the motion. Ganley subsequently filed a

motion to stay asserting that, pursuant to the parties’ arbitration agreement,

the American Arbitration Association in Cleveland, Ohio should hear and

decide the dispute. The trial court agreed, and this appeal now follows.

Motion To Stay

{¶5} In his sole assignment of error, Skerlec contends the trial court

erred in granting Ganley’s motion to stay pending arbitration. He raises

several arguments in support of this claim, namely, (1) that the arbitration

provision is not enforceable because it lacks consideration and definite terms,

(2) his intentional torts claims fall outside the scope of the provision, and (3) Ganley waived arbitration by failing to file a motion to stay prior to its filing

of a motion to dismiss.

Standard of Review

{¶6} The appropriate standard of review depends on “the type of

questions raised challenging the applicability of the arbitration provision.”

McCaskey v. Sanford-Brown College, 8th Dist. No. 97261, 2012-Ohio-1543, ¶

7. Generally, an abuse of discretion standard applies in limited

circumstances, such as a determination that a party has waived its right to

arbitrate a given dispute. Id., citing Milling Away, L.L.C. v. UGP Properties,

L.L.C., 8th Dist. No. 95751, 2011-Ohio-1103, ¶ 8. But the issue of whether a

party has agreed to submit an issue to arbitration or questions of

unconscionability are reviewed under a de novo standard of review. See

Shumaker v. Saks Inc., 163 Ohio App.3d 173, 2005-Ohio-4391, 837 N.E.2d

393 (8th Dist.); Taylor Bldg. Corp. of Am. v. Benfield, 117 Ohio St.3d 352,

2008-Ohio-938, 884 N.E.2d 12.

{¶7} We therefore afford no deference to the trial court’s finding that

a valid contract exists and apply a de novo review to this issue. We likewise

apply a de novo review in determining the scope of the arbitration provision.

As for the trial court’s determination that Ganley did not waive its right to

arbitrate, we apply an abuse of discretion. Enforceability of the Arbitration Provision

{¶8} An arbitration agreement is an expression that the parties agree

to arbitrate disagreements within the scope of the contract. Williams v.

Aetna Fin. Co., 83 Ohio St.3d 464, 471, 700 N.E.2d 859 (1998). Thus, prior to

making any determination regarding the arbitrability of any issue, a court

must first determine whether the arbitration agreement is enforceable under

basic contract precepts. Council of Smaller Ents. v. Gates, McDonald & Co.,

80 Ohio St.3d 661, 665, 687 N.E.2d 1352 (1998).

{¶9} For a valid contract to exist, there must be an offer, an acceptance

of the offer, and consideration. All Erection & Crane Rental Corp. v. Trispan

Corp., 8th Dist. No. 91471, 2009-Ohio-867, ¶ 10, citing Noroski v. Fallet, 2

Ohio St.3d 77, 79, 442 N.E.2d 1302 (1982). “Consideration may consist of

either a detriment to the promisee or a benefit to the promisor.” Lake Land

Emp. Group of Akron, LLC v. Columber, 101 Ohio St.3d 242, 2004-Ohio-786,

804 N.E.2d 27, ¶ 16, citing Irwin v. Lombard Univ., 56 Ohio St. 9, 19, 46 N.E.

63 (1897). The Ohio Supreme Court has held that giving up a right to trial,

in addition to the corresponding rights of that judicial process, is consideration. Hayes v. Oakridge Home, 122 Ohio St.3d 63, 2009-Ohio-2054,

908 N.E.2d 408, ¶ 42-43.

{¶10} Skerlec argues the arbitration agreement is not enforceable

because he never agreed to it when he was hired. He implies that because he

signed the agreement the day after he was hired, it lacked consideration and

is unenforceable. In support of this argument, Skerlec relies on Harmon v.

Philip Morris Inc., 120 Ohio App.3d 187, 697 N.E.2d 270 (8th Dist.1997). In

Harmon, this court found that an employee’s signature acknowledging receipt

of the arbitration brochure did not constitute an enforceable arbitration

agreement.

{¶11} However, Harmon is easily distinguished from the instant case.

Although Harmon’s continued employment was contingent on his signing and

acknowledging receipt of the arbitration brochure, the court found there was

not an enforceable agreement because:

[T]he terms of this program require employees to arbitrate their claims against Philip Morris but do not similarly require Philip Morris to arbitrate its claims against them; and, since Philip Morris reserves the right to amend or terminate this program at any time, it has neither offered a benefit to its employees nor incurred any detriment by modifying the terms of the employment relationship. Thus, no consideration flowed from the employer to the employees to compensate them for relinquishing their individual and collective rights to present their claims to a jury in a court of law because they remained at-will employees following implementation of the program, subject to termination but without the right to seek redress from a jury.

{¶12} Here, both parties agreed to submit any unresolved complaint of

“workplace wrongdoing.” The arbitration provision is titled “Arbitration

Agreement” and provides, in pertinent part:

The employee understands that it is the goal of the dealership to resolve any complaints of workplace wrongdoing. Any such complaints may be made directly to the department manager or General Manager or may be made to the independent third party, Labor Consultants of America, through the Employee Protection Line. The employee agrees that, if any complaint of workplace wrongdoing remains unresolved, any resulting legal claim of wrongdoing shall be submitted by the employee and the dealership to the American Arbitration Association in Cleveland, Ohio.

(Emphasis added.)

{¶13} Unlike Harmon, where Philip Morris offered no consideration to

Harmon to accept its offer modifying the terms of employment, Ganley agreed

to waive its right to a jury trial in exchange for Skerlec’s similar promise.

Unlike the arbitration provision at issue in Harmon, there is nothing in the

instant arbitration agreement that would allow Ganley to unilaterally modify

the terms of the arbitration agreement. No consideration is required above

and beyond the mutual agreement to arbitrate. Corl v. Thomas & King, 10th

Dist. No. 05AP-1128, 2006-Ohio-2956, ¶ 20, citing Dantz v. Apple Ohio LLC,

277 F.Supp.2d 794 (N.D.Ohio 2003). {¶14} Skerlec further argues the arbitration agreement is

unenforceable because it fails to define material terms. He contends the

parties are not identified, and the terms “workplace wrongdoing” and

“dealership” are vague.

{¶15} The parties are obviously Skerlec and Ganley. Although the

terms “workplace wrongdoing” and “dealership” are not defined, they are

easily understood according to their plain, ordinary meaning. Where terms

in a contract are not defined, courts apply the plain and ordinary meaning of

words to determine the parties’ intent. Penn Traffic Co. v. AIU Ins. Co., 99

Ohio St.3d 227, 2003-Ohio-3373, 790 N.E.2d 1199, ¶ 9. The term

“dealership” can only refer to Ganley because no other dealerships were party

to the contract. Webster’s defines “wrongdoing” as “any act or behavior that is

wrong.” Webster’s New World Dictionary 1543 (3d College Ed). It defines

“wrong,” in part as “unlawful, immoral or improper.” Id. The plain language

of the arbitration agreement contemplates that any legal claims arising from

improper behavior between the employee and the employer/dealership in the

workplace should be submitted to arbitration.

{¶16} But while we do not find that the terms of the arbitration

provision are so lacking to render the contract unenforceable, we do find that by applying the terms in their context, the three alleged intentional torts

clearly fall outside the scope of the provision.

Scope of the Arbitration Provision

{¶17} Skerlec argues that the arbitration agreement is inapplicable to

many of his claims because it does not include intentional torts. He argues

that his claims for malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and intentional

infliction of emotional distress do not fall within the scope of the arbitration

agreement. We agree.

{¶18} While we acknowledge that Skerlec is raising this argument for

the first time on appeal, we find that R.C. 2711.02(B) requires a trial court to

stay a matter for arbitration only upon being satisfied that “the issue involved

in the action is referable to arbitration under an agreement in writing for

arbitration.” Therefore, a trial court has an independent duty to determine

that the claims involved are subject to the arbitration provision before it can

issue a stay. Id. Moreover, an “arbitrator has no authority to decide issues

which, under their agreement, the parties did not submit to review.” State

Farm Mut. Ins. Co. v. Blevins, 49 Ohio St.3d 165, 166, 551 N.E.2d 955 (1990).

{¶19} Here, we agree that the plain language of the arbitration

provision does not cover intentional torts relating to the employer’s alleged conduct outside the employment relationship. The arbitration provision

specifically limits the scope of the arbitration provision to “workplace

wrongdoing.” The alleged intentional torts of Ganley that occurred outside of

the workplace do not fall within the plain meaning of “workplace

wrongdoing.” Moreover, to the extent that this term is ambiguous, we must

interpret the ambiguity against the drafter of the contract — Ganley. See

Piening v. Ent. Rent-a-Car of Cincinnati, Inc., 1st Dist. No. C-060535,

2007-Ohio-4709.

{¶20} As for Ganley’s claim that the alleged intentional torts flow from

Skerlec’s alleged theft in the workplace, we find this reasoning flawed.

Ganley is not seeking to invoke this arbitration provision to address the

alleged theft, i.e., “the wrongdoing,” by Skerlec. The intentional torts at

issue all relate to Ganley’s alleged conduct outside of the workplace, i.e.,

frivolously seeking a criminal prosecution against Skerlec. And while there

is a nexus between the parties and the claims by virtue of their former

employment relationship, the arbitration provision does not encompass all

claims between the employer and employee under every circumstance.

Instead, the arbitration provision clearly is limited to those claims related to

“workplace wrongdoing.” {¶21} Despite the strong presumption in favor of arbitration, parties cannot be

compelled to arbitrate a dispute that they have not agreed to submit to arbitration. Council of

Smaller Ents., 80 Ohio St.3d at 665, 687 N.E.2d 1352; see also Marks v. Morgan Stanley Dean

Witter Commercial Fin. Servs., 8th Dist. No. 88948, 2008-Ohio-1820. Based on the plain

language of the arbitration provision, we find that the three intentional torts alleged fall outside

its scope and should not have been stayed. Accordingly, we sustain the first

assignment of error in part.

Waiver

{¶22} Skerlec further argues that Ganley waived its right to

arbitration by filing a motion to dismiss before its motion for stay. He

suggests that by filing the motion to dismiss, Ganley invoked the court’s

jurisdiction. In support of his argument, Skerlec relies on Mauk v.

Washtenaw Mtg. Co., 5th Dist. No. 03CA0019, 2003-Ohio-4394. In Mauk,

the court found that the defendant waived his right to arbitration by filing a

motion to dismiss, engaging in discovery, filing a motion for protective order,

and waiting to raise the issue of arbitration for over seven months after the

complaint was filed. Id. at ¶ 15.

{¶23} In Church v. Fleishour Homes, Inc., 172 Ohio App.3d 205,

2007-Ohio-1806, 874 N.E.2d 795 (5th Dist.), the same court reached the opposite conclusion and found that the defendant preserved its right to

arbitration under the circumstances presented in that case. In

distinguishing Mauk, the Church court explained that the defendant

promptly asserted the arbitration provision as an affirmative defense in its

answer. Id. at ¶ 82. The Church court further explained that when

determining whether arbitration has been waived: “‘The essential question is

whether, based on the totality of the circumstances, the party seeking

arbitration has acted inconsistently with the right to arbitrate.’” Id. at ¶ 80,

quoting Harsco Corp. v. Crane Carrier Co., 122 Ohio App.3d 406, 410, 701

N.E.2d 1040 (3d Dist.1997).

{¶24} In determining whether a defendant acted inconsistently with

arbitration, this court has held that the trial court should consider:

(1) any delay in the requesting party’s demand to arbitrate via a motion to stay judicial proceedings and an order compelling arbitration; (2) the extent of the requesting party’s participation in the litigation prior to its filing a motion to stay the judicial proceeding, including a determination of the status of discovery, dispositive motions, and the trial date; (3) whether the requesting party invoked the jurisdiction of the court by filing a counterclaim or third-party complaint without asking for a stay of the proceedings; and (4) whether the non-requesting party has been prejudiced by the requesting party’s inconsistent acts.

Phillips v. Lee Homes, Inc., 8th Dist. No. 64353, 1994 Ohio App. LEXIS 596

(Feb. 17, 1994), citing Rock v. Merrill, Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith, Inc., 79 Ohio App.3d 126, 606 N.E.2d 1054 (8th Dist.1992); Brumm v. McDonald &

Co. Secs., Inc., 78 Ohio App.3d 96, 603 N.E.2d 1141 (4th Dist.1992).

{¶25} Contrary to Skerlec’s assertion, the mere filing of a motion to

dismiss alone does not operate as a waiver of a party’s right to arbitrate. See

Bayer v. Mapes, 8th Dist. No. 66541, 1994 Ohio App. LEXIS 5156 (Nov. 17,

1994). Indeed, a motion for a stay pending arbitration does not raise any of

the defenses specifically enumerated in Civ.R. 12(B)(1) to (7), and such

motion therefore need not be filed prior to filing a motion to dismiss. Id.

{¶26} Skerlec filed the complaint on November 4, 2011. Ganley was

served with the complaint in mid-November. After receiving leave to plead,

Ganley filed a motion to dismiss pursuant to Civ.R. 12(B)(6) on January 13,

2012 , arguing that the complaint failed to state a claim upon which relief

could be granted. Once the motion to dismiss was denied, Ganley promptly

filed the motion for stay, four months after the complaint was filed and four

months before the court’s dispositive motion deadline.

{¶27} Here, the record indicates that Ganley did not participate in the

litigation. Ganley did not engage in discovery or file any counterclaims, but

promptly requested the stay once the court denied the motion to dismiss.

Based on the totality of the circumstances, Ganley acted consistently with its right to arbitrate, and we cannot say that the trial court abused its discretion

in finding that Ganley had not waived arbitration.

{¶28} In summary, we find some merit to Skerlic’s sole assignment of

error. The three intentional torts fall outside the arbitration provision and

therefore should not have been stayed. His other claims, i.e., wrongful

discharge and wage withholding, however, are subject to a valid and

enforceable arbitration provision, and therefore the trial court properly

granted Ganley’s motion to stay with respect to these claims.

{¶29} Judgment affirmed in part, reversed in part, and remanded to

the lower court for further proceedings consistent with this opinion.

It is ordered that the parties share the costs herein taxed.

The court finds there were reasonable grounds for this appeal.

It is ordered that a special mandate issue out of this court directing the

common pleas court to carry this judgment into execution.

A certified copy of this entry shall constitute the mandate pursuant to

Rule 27 of the Rules of Appellate Procedure.

______________________________________________ MARY J. BOYLE, PRESIDING JUDGE

MARY EILEEN KILBANE, J., CONCURS; COLLEEN CONWAY COONEY, J., CONCURS IN JUDGMENT ONLY IN PART AND DISSENTS IN PART WITH SEPARATE OPINION COLLEEN CONWAY COONEY, J., CONCURRING IN JUDGMENT ONLY IN PART, DISSENTING IN PART:

{¶30} I concur in the judgment to affirm the trial court. I respectfully dissent in the

partial reversal to exclude certain claims from the arbitration process.

{¶31} Skerlec objected to arbitration on three grounds: the agreement was invalid for

lack of consideration, the terms were vague, and Ganley waived its right to arbitrate by filing a

motion to dismiss. His failure to raise in the trial court his current argument that certain

claims are excluded from arbitration constitutes a waiver of his objection.

{¶32} As this court recently found:

A litigant’s failure to raise an argument in the trial court waives the litigant’s right to raise the issue on appeal. Shover v. Cordis Corp. (1991), 61 Ohio St.3d 213, 220, 574 N.E.2d 457, overruled on other grounds in Collins v. Sotka (1998), 81 Ohio St.3d 506, 1998-Ohio-331, 692 N.E.2d 581; Maust v. Meyers Products, Inc. (1989), 64 Ohio App.3d 310, 581 N.E.2d 589 (failure to raise an issue in the trial court waives a litigant’s right to raise that issue on appeal). Because Foster failed to raise these claims in the trial court, he has waived these claims on appeal.

Foster v. Wells Fargo Fin. Ohio, Inc., 195 Ohio App.3d 497, 2011-Ohio-4632,

¶ 24 (8th Dist.).

{¶33} Furthermore, the arbitration agreement is not limited to only

claims of “workplace wrongdoing.” Rather, the agreement states that it

covers any unresolved complaints of “workplace wrongdoing” as well as “any resulting legal claim of wrongdoing.” In other words, the agreement

encompasses any claims that occur as a result of alleged workplace

wrongdoing.

{¶34} Here, Ganley terminated Skerlec’s employment because of his

alleged theft in the workplace. Skerlec’s claims for wrongful termination,

malicious prosecution, abuse of process, and intentional infliction of

emotional distress arise from prosecuting his alleged “workplace wrongdoing,”

i.e., the alleged theft. They are within the scope of the arbitration agreement

and should be submitted to arbitration because they are “resulting legal

claims” from the wrongdoing.

{¶35} Therefore, I would affirm in toto.