Document: 345 U.S. 330 73 S.Ct. 681 97 L.Ed. 1048 FORD MOTOR CO.v.HUFFMAN et al. INTERNATIONAL UNION, UNITED AUTOMOBILE, AIRCRAFT AND AGRICULTURAL IMPLEMENTWORKERS OF AMERICA, CI v. HUFFMAN Nos. 193 and 194. Argued Dec. 18, 19, 1952. Decided April 6, 1953. Mr. William T. Gossett, Dearborn, Mich., for Ford Motor Co. Harold A. Cranefield, Detroit, International Union, United Automobile, Aircraft Agricultural Implement Workers of America, CIO. Herbert Monsky, Louisville, Ky., respondent. Justice BURTON delivered the opinion Court. 1 In these cases we sustain validity collective-bargaining agreements whereby an employer, in determining relative seniority employment among its employees, gives them credit pre-employment military service as well required by statute post-employment service.1 2 These proceedings were begun States District Court Western Kentucky respondent Huffman, acting individually on behalf a class about 275 fellow employees Company, petitioner Case No. (here called Ford). His complaint is that his position, each member class, has been lowered roster at Ford's Louisville works, because certain provisions between CIO, 194 International). He contends those have violated rights, under Selective Training Service Act 1940, amended.2 also International's acceptance exceeded authority representative National Labor Relations Act, amended.3 asks, accordingly, be declared invalid insofar they prejudice rights members appropriate injunctive relief granted against International. After answer, both sides asked summary judgment.4 3 The dismissed action without but said order it was 'of collective bargaining agreement expresses honest desire protection interests all union not device hostility to veterans. finds sets up system which deems arbitrary, discriminatory or any respect unlawful.' Appeals Sixth Circuit reversed, one judge dissenting. 195 F.2d 170. filed separate petitions certiorari seeking review same decision Appeals. We widespread use contractual comparable before us, general importance issue relation bargaining. 344 814, 35. 4 pleadings state Huffman entered employ September 23, 1943, inducted into November 1944, discharged July 1, 1946, and, within 30 days, reemployed with dating from provided statute.5 It does appear whether other are veterans but, like him, computed their respective dates Ford. 5 allege further laid off furloughed employments times periods when would so except complained agreements. Those state, substance, after 30, retention 'shall receive period service, subsequent June 21, 1941 land naval forces Merchant Marine allies, upon completion probationary period' six months.6 6 effect whereas Huffman's seniority, credited if any, yet some instances now surpassed who did rendered Ford.7 7 Respondent contended allowance went beyond prescribed 1940. That argument rejected unanimously. 170, 173. pressed here. There nothing prohibits allowing such employer agree do so. statutory returning subject changes conditions occurred regular course during absence where hostile devices discriminating Aeronautical Indus. Dist. Lodge Campbell, 337 521, 69 1287, 93 1513; see Trailmobile Whirls, 331 40, 67 982, 91 1328; Fishgold Sullivan Drydock & Repair Corp., 328 275, 66 1105, 90 1230. See also, Oakley N.R. Co., 338 278, 70 119, 94 87, veteran's status more than year reemployment. 8 On hand, second objection raised sustained majority This International, certified representative, limited agreed us. 9 every amended, stated broad terms: 10 'Sec. 7. Employees shall right self-organization, form, join, assist labor organizations, bargain collectively through representatives own choosing, engage concerted activities purpose mutual aid protection. * 11 9. (a) Representatives designated selected purposes unit purposes, exclusive rates pay, wages, hours employment, employment: *.' (Emphasis supplied.) 61 Stat. 140, 143, 29 U.S.C.(Supp. V) §§ 157, 159(a), U.S.C.A. 159(a). 12 limiting factors, above including 'mutual protection' 'other employment', enough cover terms seniority. passed 1935 amended 1947, exemplifies faith Congress free employers conducted freely fairly chosen reporesentatives units employees. representatives, however, absolute recognized Steele 323 192, 198—199, 65 226, 230, 89 173, connection Railway Act. Their obligation represent requires make effort serve members, any. Id., page 198, 202—204, 231—232; Tunstall Brotherhood Locomotive Firemen, 210, 211, 235, 236, 187; Railroad Trainmen Howard, 343 768, 72 1022, 96 1283. 13 Any negotiate derives principal strength delegation negotiators discretion concessions accept advantages as, light relevant considerations, believe will best parties represented. A major responsibility weigh disadvantages differing proposals. often organization essential such. represented represents table, whoever may be, responsible to, owes complete loyalty whom represents. instant controversy, represented, exceptions material here, with, without, prior Ford, having no service. Inevitably differences arise manner degree negotiated affect individual classes mere existence invalid. satisfaction hardly expected. wide range reasonableness must allowed serving represents, always good honesty exercise discretion. 14 Compromises temporary basis, view long advantages, natural incidents negotiation. Differences reflect countless variables. Seniority rules governing promotions, transfers, layoffs similar matters may, first instance, revolve around length competent Variations acceptable include based computed, privileges relate, nature work, time done, fitness, ability age family responsibilities, injuries received devoted related public civil military, voluntary involuntary. See, e.g., Hartley Clerks, 283 Mich. 201, 277 N.W. 885; Williamson Harris, Trends Collective Bargaining (1945), 100 103. 15 only meet responsibility. held when, interest agrees allow chairmen even otherwise entitled greater supra, pages 526—529, 1289—1291. 16 policy fairness inherent crediting spent war national emergency clear Congress, given computing governmental private employment. note 5, supra. there left civilian enter should however brief, bona fide basis. little justifies giving substantial benefit veteran brief equally justify chance never worked particular hired him return values veterans, substantially same. From point industrial stability, much said, especially emergency, adopts doubtful favoring stay out over it. 17 considerations took concrete form Veterans' Preference 1944 added requirement federal agency, preceded followed employment.8 Apparently recognizing variations affecting compulsory later, Administrator Retraining Reemployment Administration Department assembled committee recommend principles guides others.9 Among developed committee, 'wholeheartedly' endorsed Secretary Labor, following: 18 '8. All reemployment Federal statutes accorded minimum. 19 '13. Newly qualified credit, least job retention, equal armed services plus recuperation serviceconnected disabilities either hospitalization vocational training.'10 20 us policy.11 necessary define here limits go accepting proposals promote social economic welfare Nothing vision disregard security. Nor anything compel limit clauses solely lengths 526, 528 529, 1289, 1290—1291, 5. For examples protecting loss War Board coming proper scope bargaining, 1945, see, re American Can 27 Lab.Rep. 634, 28 764, Firestone Tire Rubber 24 322, 483. Bureau Affairs, Inc., Contracts (1941), 369 seq. 21 reasonable bounds relevancy. They extended slightly, credits circumstances already required, statute, favor had regularly employed entering conform recommendation Government officials round which, unless rounded out, produces discriminations own. failure adopt might resulted friction adoption. 22 several briefs amici curiae, consent parties, demonstrate relevance type 23 hold provisions. Accordingly, find ground sufficient establish invalidity injunction petitioner. accord: Haynes Chemical Workers, 190 Tenn. 165, 228 S.W.2d 101. judgment reversed therefore reversed. affirmed cause remanded 25 Reversed remanded. Where context permits, 'military service' this includes allies. 54 890, 56 724, 58 798, 60 341, 50 U.S.C.App. § 308, U.S.C.A.Appendix, 308. 49 452, 601, U.S.C. (Supp.V) 157—159, 157—159. 194, questions jurisdiction recognizes case engaged unfair practice computations then argues 146, (Supp. 160(a), vests initial exclusively Board. question argued nor mentioned our position merits, discussed Our interprets breadth removes charge exceeding authority, committed practice. As somewhat considered 45 151 seq., 204—207, 232—234, 8. '(b) person who, perform training leaves (1) receives certificate (of satisfactory service), (2) still duties (3) makes application ninety days he relieved '(B) restore status, pay employer's changed impossible unreasonable so; 308(b)(B), Article VIII supplementary dated contained 'Section 13—* *. '(c) World II company entry citizen served allies honorably shall, (6) months before, 1941, provided: '(1) Such apply (90) Marine, obtain twelve (12) Marine. '(2) previously exercised plant company. '(3) submit discharge papers end aforesaid place thereon permanent statement showing right, signed copy thereof placed employee's record furnished Union. '(d) understood that, regardless foregoing, (employ) Contract thus period.' continued effect, identical August 1947. An 28, 1949, 12. employee effective date Agreement, VIII, Section 13(c) (d) Union Agreement Company provision Suprementary continue credit.' July, 1943. totaled 33 months, pre-service example due outranks until March thereafter, continuously By 36 post-service However, agreements, outranked although month less, two less combined three veteran. reduction personnel competing released accordance Civil Commission regulations give tenure preference, efficiency ratings: Provided, active total service: 390, 861, 861. 'Committee Nine' consisted Business Advisory Council Commerce, Association Manufacturers, Chamber Federation Industrial Organizations, Executives' Association, Legion, Disabled Veterans Foreign Wars. Under Bargaining, Statistics, October, Statement Employment Principles October 7, App. D, pp. 46—48; Bulletin Administration, 10, p. 5; Harbison, Problems During Demobilization Reconversion, Section, Economics Social Institutions, Princeton University (1944) 12—14. Provisions—Seniority, Bull. 908 11, Statistics (1949), quotes many factors quoted '61. Veteran Not Previously Employed Given Credit Time Spent Armed Forces 'Any discharged, dishonorably, immediately (name company) discharge, take list completing sixty (60) day trial period. forces. covered section December 1941.' P. 13.

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