Opinion
NO. 1:07-CV-190.
December 6, 2007
OPINION and ORDER
This matter is before the Court on the Defendant's Motion to Dismiss, or, Alternatively, to Stay (D.E. # 8) filed by the Defendant on August 20, 2007. For the reasons set forth below, the Defendant's motion to compel arbitration and stay proceedings is GRANTED. Pursuant to 9 U.S.C. § 4, the parties shall proceed with arbitration as provided by their agreement. Pursuant to 9 U.S.C. § 3, the proceedings are STAYED pending further order of the Court. The Clerk is ORDERED to close the case, subject to the right of either party to seek relief from the stay.
The Federal Arbitration Act ("FAA") provides that an arbitration clause in a "contract evidencing a transaction involving commerce . . . shall be valid, irrevocable, and enforceable, save upon such grounds as exist at law or in equity for the revocation of any contract." 9 U.S.C. § 2. The FAA generally requires a court to grant a motion to compel arbitration where the court finds (1) "a written agreement to arbitrate," (2) "a dispute within the scope of the arbitration agreement," and (3) "a refusal to arbitrate." Zurich Am. Ins. Co. v. Watts Indus., Inc., 417 F.3d 682, 687 (7th Cir. 2005). "[T]he FAA compels judicial enforcement of a wide range of written arbitration agreements," including arbitration agreements found in employment contracts. Circuit City Stores, Inc. v. Adams, 532 U.S. 105, 111 (2001). The FAA also compels arbitration of a wide range of statutory violations, including federal employment discrimination claims. See, e.g., Gilmer, 500 U.S. at 35 (compelling arbitration of claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act ("ADEA") under a broadly-worded arbitration clause); Koveleski v. SBC Capital Markets, Inc., 167 F.3d 361, 365 (7th Cir. 1999) (holding that Congress did not intend Title VII to preclude enforcement of pre-dispute arbitration agreements).
Here, the parties agreed in writing as part of an employment contract to arbitrate the claim Plaintiff raises in her Complaint (D.E. # 1), i.e., that the Defendant violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Moreover, the Plaintiff does not contest that arbitration of her claim is appropriate. Accordingly, this Court is satisfied that Plaintiff's claim is referable to arbitration.
"[U]pon being satisfied that the issue involved in such suit or proceeding is referable to arbitration under such an agreement, [the court] shall on application of one of the parties stay the trial of the action until such arbitration has been had in accordance with the terms of the agreement, providing the applicant for the stay is not in default in proceeding with such arbitration." 9 U.S.C. § 3 (emphasis added). A stay prevents the parties from having to file a new action each time the Court's assistance is required regarding issues involving the arbitrator (FAA § 5), witnesses (FAA § 7), or the award (FAA §§ 9, 10, 11). Lloyd v. HOVENSA, LLC, 369 F.3d 263, 270 (3d Cir. 2004).
Notwithstanding the plain language of § 3, many courts hold that dismissal is a proper remedy when all of the issues presented in a lawsuit are arbitrable. See, e.g., Alford v. Dean Witter Reynolds, Inc., 975 F.2d 1161, 1165 (5th Cir. 1992). Other Courts hold that district courts are obligated to grant a stay pursuant to § 3. See, e.g., HOVENSA, 369 F.3d at 269.
Here, the Defendant requests this Court to dismiss the action or, in the alternative, stay the action. Given the plain language of § 3 and the benefits of granting a stay rather than a dismissal, this Court is not persuaded that a dismissal is more appropriate than a stay.
For the reasons set forth above, the Defendant's motion to compel arbitration and stay proceedings is GRANTED. Pursuant to 9 U.S.C. § 4, the parties shall proceed with arbitration as provided by their agreement. Pursuant to 9 U.S.C. § 3, the proceedings are STAYED pending further order of the Court. The Clerk is ORDERED to close the case, subject to the right of either party to seek relief from the stay.