X

Thank you for sharing!

Your article was successfully shared with the contacts you provided.

Couch White, LLP, Albany (Charles G. Carluccio of counsel), for appellants. Letitia James, Attorney General, New York City (Joseph M. Spadola of counsel), for respondents. Appeal from a judgment of the Supreme Court (Anthony McGinty, J.), entered October 5, 2023 in Albany County, which, in a combined proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 and action for declaratory judgment, granted respondents’ cross-motion to dismiss the petition/complaint. Following the promulgation of 12 NYCRR 222.2 (c)[1] (hereinafter the challenged regulation), petitioners — various construction industry participants — commenced the instant combined proceeding pursuant to CPLR article 78 and action for declaratory judgment. According to petitioners, the challenged regulation required them to pay unduly burdensome costs because it mandated the payment of prevailing wages to truckers hauling aggregate materials from within a 50-mile radius of a worksite. Petitioners contended that the challenged regulation exceeded respondents’ authority and violated the separation of powers doctrine; violated the Equal Protection clauses of the State and Federal Constitutions; was unlawful, arbitrary and capricious; and was adopted in violation of the State Administrative Procedure Act. As such, petitioners sought to have the challenged regulation annulled, and they moved for a preliminary injunction staying its enforcement during the pendency of the proceedings. Respondents cross- moved to dismiss the petition arguing, among other things, that Supreme Court lacked jurisdiction; petitioners opposed the cross-motion. Following oral argument on the motions, Supreme Court found that it lacked jurisdiction, granted the cross-motion to dismiss and dismissed the petition. Petitioners appeal. We affirm. Pursuant to the statutory scheme, a challenge to the validity of a regulation instituted by respondent Commissioner of Labor must first be brought before the Industrial Board of Appeals (hereinafter IBA) (see Labor Law § 101). The IBA is empowered to consider arguments about the validity of any such regulation, including constitutional challenges (see Labor Law § 101 [1]; see e.g. Matter of Cha v. New York State Indus. Bd. of Appeals, 204 AD3d 602, 603 [1st Dept 2022]; Matter of Reardon v. Global Cash Card, Inc., 179 AD3d 1228, 1230-1232 [3d Dept 2020], appeal dismissed 35 NY3d 1001 [2020]; cf. Matter of National Rest. Assn. v. Commissioner of Labor, 141 AD3d 185, 190-194 [3d Dept 2016]). The IBA may stay enforcement of a regulation against the petitioner challenging its validity, and it may revoke, amend or modify a regulation it finds invalid (see Labor Law § 101 [2], [3]). Any party aggrieved by a decision issued by the IBA may then seek judicial review of that decision (see Labor Law § 102 [1]). Absent review by the IBA, however, “no court shall have jurisdiction to review or annul any such provision, rule, regulation or order or to restrain or interfere with its enforcement” (Labor Law § 103 [1]; see 53A NY Jur 2d, Employment Relations § 819). Here, it is uncontroverted that petitioners failed to file a petition with the IBA and that the IBA did not review any of petitioners’ arguments aimed at invalidating the challenged regulation; such a failure left Supreme Court without jurisdiction to hear these proceedings (see Labor Law §§ 102 [1]; 103 [1]; cf. Lyell Party House, Inc. v. New York State Dept. of Labor, Commr., 190 AD3d 1046, 1048 [3d Dept 2021]; Matter of Guendjian v. Reardon, 170 AD3d 1288, 1289-1290 [3d Dept 2019]). Consequently, Supreme Court properly dismissed the petition. In light of this determination, petitioners’ remaining contentions have been rendered academic. Egan Jr., J.P., Lynch, McShan and Powers, JJ., concur. ORDERED that the judgment is affirmed, without costs.

 
Reprints & Licensing
Mentioned in a Law.com story?

License our industry-leading legal content to extend your thought leadership and build your brand.

More From ALM

With this subscription you will receive unlimited access to high quality, online, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry. This is perfect for attorneys licensed in multiple jurisdictions or for attorneys that have fulfilled their CLE requirement but need to access resourceful information for their practice areas.
View Now
Our Team Account subscription service is for legal teams of four or more attorneys. Each attorney is granted unlimited access to high quality, on-demand premium content from well-respected faculty in the legal industry along with administrative access to easily manage CLE for the entire team.
View Now
Gain access to some of the most knowledgeable and experienced attorneys with our 2 bundle options! Our Compliance bundles are curated by CLE Counselors and include current legal topics and challenges within the industry. Our second option allows you to build your bundle and strategically select the content that pertains to your needs. Both options are priced the same.
View Now
September 05, 2024
New York, NY

The New York Law Journal honors attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession in New York.


Learn More
June 20, 2024
Atlanta, GA

The Daily Report is honoring those attorneys and judges who have made a remarkable difference in the legal profession.


Learn More
June 27, 2024
New York

Consulting Magazine identifies consultants that have the biggest impact on their clients, firms and the profession.


Learn More

Associate attorney position at NJ Immigration Law firm: Leschak & Associates, LLC, based in Freehold, NJ, is looking for a full time ass...


Apply Now ›

Company Description CourtLaw Injury Lawyers is an established Personal Injury Law Firm with its primary office located in Perth Amboy, New J...


Apply Now ›

McCarter & English, LLP, a well established and growing law firm, is actively seeking a talented and driven associate having 2-5 years o...


Apply Now ›
04/29/2024
The National Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›
04/15/2024
Connecticut Law Tribune

MELICK & PORTER, LLP PROMOTES CONNECTICUT PARTNERS HOLLY ROGERS, STEVEN BANKS, and ALEXANDER AHRENS


View Announcement ›
04/11/2024
New Jersey Law Journal

Professional Announcement


View Announcement ›