In re: Curwood Inc. and Graphics Communication Union Local 418-C

A company unilaterally imposed a rule banning smoking on all premises of a food-packaging-materials manufacturing plant.  An arbitrator ruled that the policy was arbitrary, unreasonable and violated the contract with the union.  The arbitrator ruled that the total smoking ban constitutes a substantial change in rules — not a mere clarification of a rule — and thus requires the agreement of the parties.

96 LA 506 (1991).