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Litton Financial Printing Div., Litton Business Systems, Inc. v. NLRB

U.S. Supreme CourtJune 13, 1991No. 90-285Cited 814 times
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Case Details

Judge(s)
Kennedy, Marshall, Stevens
Status — whether other courts must follow this ruling
Published
Procedural Posture — the stage the case had reached
Supreme Court review of NLRB decision; affirmed in part and reversed in part
Circuit
Federal Circuit

Outcome

Supreme Court affirmed in part and reversed in part the NLRB's decision regarding unfair labor practices, addressing issues of employee reinstatement and backpay remedies in the context of employer conduct during union organizing.

What This Ruling Means

**What Happened** Litton Financial Printing Division interfered with workers' efforts to organize a union. The company engaged in unfair labor practices that violated workers' rights under federal labor law. Some employees were wrongfully terminated during the union organizing campaign. The case went through the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) and eventually reached the Supreme Court. **What the Court Decided** The Supreme Court issued a mixed ruling in 1991. The Court agreed with some parts of the NLRB's decision against Litton but disagreed with other parts. Specifically, the Court addressed how the company should remedy its wrongful actions, including whether fired workers should get their jobs back and receive back pay for lost wages. The Court partially affirmed and partially reversed the NLRB's remedies for the company's unfair labor practices. **Why This Matters for Workers** This case reinforces that employers cannot interfere with workers' rights to organize unions. When companies violate these rights, they must provide remedies to affected workers. However, the mixed outcome shows that the specific remedies available to workers - like getting rehired or receiving back pay - can vary depending on the circumstances. Workers should know their organizing rights are protected, but enforcement and remedies can be complex.

This summary was generated to explain the ruling in plain English and is not legal advice.

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