Ford Motor Co. v. Huffman, 345 U.S. 330 (1953)

Ford Motor Co. v. Huffman

No. 193

Argued December 18-19, 1952
Decided April 6, 1953
345 U.S. 330

CERTIORARI TO THE UNITED STATES COURT OF APPEALS

FOR THE SIXTH CIRCUIT

Syllabus

1. A collective bargaining agreement whereby an employer, in determining relative seniority of employment among its employees, gives them credit for pre-employment military service, as well as the credit for post-employment military service required by the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940, is valid -- although it works to the disadvantage of other employees, including those who were employed prior to their military service. Pp. 331-336.

2. By accepting such a provision in a collective bargaining agreement, a union does not exceed its authority as a certified collective bargaining representative under the National Labor Relations Act, as amended. Pp. 336-343.

195 F.2d 170 reversed.

The District Court dismissed a class suit for a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief brought by an employee to invalidate a seniority clause in a collective bargaining agreement between his union and his employer. The Court of Appeals reversed. 195 F.2d 170. This Court granted certiorari. 344 U.S. 814. Reversed and remanded, p. 343.