M&G Polymers USA, LLC v. Tackett
| Docket No. | Op. Below | Argument | Opinion | Vote | Author | Term |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13-1010 | 6th Cir. | Nov 10, 2014 | Jan 26, 2015 | 9-0 | Thomas | OT 2014 |
Disclosure: Goldstein & Russell, P.C., whose attorneys contribute to this blog in various capacities, filed an amicus brief in support of neither party in this case.
Holding: To determine whether retiree health-care benefits survive the expiration of a collective bargaining agreement, courts should apply ordinary contract principles. Those principles do not include the Sixth Circuit’s inference that parties to collective bargaining would intend retiree benefits to vest for life.
Judgment: Vacated and remanded, 9-0, in an opinion by Justice Thomas on January 26, 2015.
SCOTUSblog Coverage
- Opinion analysis: Justices reject presumption of health-benefit vesting, calling for analysis under ordinary contract principles (Ronald Mann, January 26, 2015)
- Argument analysis: Justices dust off contracts treatises for dispute over health-benefit vesting (Ronald Mann, November 11, 2014)
- Argument preview: Justices to consider vesting of health-care benefits (Ronald Mann, November 7, 2014)
- New amicus brief: A broader view of retiree health care (Thomas Hopson, July 25, 2014)
- Petition of the day (Maureen Johnston, April 23, 2014)
| Date | Proceedings and Orders |
|---|---|
| Jan 10 2014 | Application (13A753) to extend the time to file a petition for a writ of certiorari from January 20, 2014 to February 20, 2014, submitted to Justice Kagan. |
| Jan 16 2014 | Application (13A753) granted by Justice Kagan extending the time to file until February 20, 2014. |
| Feb 20 2014 | Petition for a writ of certiorari filed. (Response due March 26, 2014) |
| Mar 26 2014 | Brief of respondents Hobert Freel Tackett, et al. in opposition filed. |
| Apr 7 2014 | Reply of petitioners M&G Polymers USA, LLC, et al. filed. |
| Apr 9 2014 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of April 25, 2014. |
| Apr 28 2014 | DISTRIBUTED for Conference of May 2, 2014. |
| May 5 2014 | Petition GRANTED limited to Question 1 presented by the petition. |
| May 9 2014 | The time to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is extended to and including July 10, 2014. |
| Jun 20 2014 | Consent to the filing of amicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the petitioners. |
| Jul 8 2014 | Consent to the filing ofamicus curiae briefs, in support of either party or of neither party, received from counsel for the respondents. |
| Jul 10 2014 | The time to file the joint appendix and petitioners' brief on the merits is further extended to and including July 17, 2014. |
| Jul 10 2014 | The time to file respondents' brief on the merits is extended to and including September 15, 2014. |
| Jul 17 2014 | Joint appendix filed. (Statement of costs filed) |
| Jul 17 2014 | Brief of petitioners M&G Polymers USA, LLC, et al. filed. |
| Jul 24 2014 | Brief amici curiae of Council on Labor Law Equality and the Society for Human Resource Management filed. |
| Jul 24 2014 | Brief amicus curiae of Goldstein & Russell, P.C., in support of neither party filed. |
| Jul 24 2014 | Brief amici curiae of ERISA Industry Committee and the American Benefits Council filed. |
| Jul 24 2014 | Brief amici curiae of Chamber of Commerce of the United States of America, and the Business Roundtable filed. |
| Jul 24 2014 | Brief amicus curiae of National Association of Manufacturers filed. |
| Jul 24 2014 | Brief amicus curiae of Whirlpool Corporation filed. |
| Sep 4 2014 | SET FOR ARGUMENT on Monday, November 10, 2014. |
| Sep 8 2014 | Record requested from U.S.C.A. 6th Circuit. |
| Sep 15 2014 | Brief of respondents Hobert Freel Tackett, et al. filed. |
| Sep 15 2014 | Record received from U.S.C.A. 6th Circuit is electronic. |
| Sep 19 2014 | CIRCULATED |
| Sep 22 2014 | Brief amici curiae of Labor and Benefits Law Professors filed. (Distributed) |
| Sep 22 2014 | Brief amici curiae of Fox Retiree Committee, et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| Sep 22 2014 | Brief amicus curiae of American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations filed. (Distributed) |
| Oct 15 2014 | Reply of petitioners M&G Polymers USA, LLC, et al. filed. (Distributed) |
| Nov 10 2014 | Argued. For petitioners: Allyson N. Ho, Dallas, Tex. For respondents: Julia P. Clark, Washington, D. C. |
| Jan 26 2015 | Judgment VACATED and case REMANDED. Thomas, J., delivered the opinion for a unanimous Court. Ginsburg, J., filed a concurring opinion, in which Breyer, Sotomayor, and Kagan, JJ., joined. |
| Feb 27 2015 | JUDGMENT ISSUED. |
