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CNH Industrial N.V. v. Reese

Docket No. Op. Below Argument Opinion Vote Author Term
17-515 6th Cir. Not Argued Feb 20, 2018 n/a Per Curiam OT 2017

Holding: The Supreme Court has long held that collective-bargaining agreements must be interpreted “according to ordinary principles of contract law,” as stated in M&G Polymers USA v. Tackett. A contract is not ambiguous unless it is subject to more than one reasonable interpretation, and the inferences made by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 6th Circuit under its own precedent, International Union, United Auto, Aerospace, & Agricultural Implement Workers of America v. Yard-Man Inc., cannot generate a reasonable interpretation because they are not “ordinary principles of contract law.” The only reasonable interpretation of the 1998 agreement between retirees and their former employer is that the health care benefits expired when the collective-bargaining agreement expired in May 2004.

Judgment: Reversed and remanded in a per curiam opinion on February 20, 2018.

DateProceedings and Orders (key to color coding)
Oct 03 2017Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due November 6, 2017)
Oct 23 2017Blanket Consent filed by Petitioners, CNH Industrial N.V., et al.
Oct 23 2017Order extending time to file response to petition to and including November 20, 2017.
Nov 06 2017Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by Whirlpool Corporation.
Nov 06 2017Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al.
Nov 06 2017Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by Erisa Industry Committee.
Nov 20 2017Brief of respondents Jack Reese, et al. in opposition filed.
Dec 01 2017Reply of petitioners CNH Industrial N.V., et al. filed.
Dec 06 2017DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/5/2018.
Jan 04 2018Rescheduled.
Jan 08 2018DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/12/2018.
Jan 16 2018DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 1/19/2018.
Feb 05 2018DISTRIBUTED for Conference of 2/16/2018.
Feb 20 2018Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by Erisa Industry Committee GRANTED.
Feb 20 2018Motion for leave to file amicus brief filed by Whirlpool Corporation GRANTED.
Feb 20 2018Motion for leave to file amici brief filed by Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, et al. GRANTED.
Feb 20 2018Petition GRANTED. Judgment REVERSED and case REMANDED. Opinion per curiam. (Detached Opinion)
Mar 26 2018JUDGMENT ISSUED.