United States Supreme Court Cases & Opinions

U.S. Supreme Court

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

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. 345 U. S. 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. 345 U. S. 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. 345 U. S. 343.

Page 345 U. S. 331