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Ohio Adjutant General’s Dept. v. FLRA

Docket: 21-1454 Decision Date: 2023-05-18
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How to read this page

Below are plain-language sections to help you understand what the Court decided in Ohio Adjutant General’s Dept. v. FLRA and why it matters. Quotes are taken from the syllabus (the Court’s short summary at the start of the opinion).

Summary

A short, plain-English overview of Ohio Adjutant General’s Dept. v. FLRA.

The Supreme Court ruled that the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) has jurisdiction over the Ohio National Guard in labor disputes involving dual-status technicians. The Court found that when the Guard employs and supervises these technicians, it acts as a federal agency under the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (FSLMRS). This decision affirms the Sixth Circuit's ruling.

Holding

The single most important “bottom line” of what the Court decided in Ohio Adjutant General’s Dept. v. FLRA.

The Court held that the FLRA had jurisdiction over this labor dispute because a State National Guard acts as a federal agency for purposes of the FSLMRS when it hires and supervises dual-status technicians.

Constitutional Concepts

These are the Constitution-related themes that appear in Ohio Adjutant General’s Dept. v. FLRA. Click a concept to see other cases that involve the same idea.

  • Why State–Federal Power is relevant to Ohio Adjutant General’s Dept. v. FLRA

    The case involves the allocation of authority between state and federal governments, specifically whether the Ohio National Guard acts as a federal agency under federal labor law.

    Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)
    The FLRA had jurisdiction over this labor dispute because a State National Guard acts as a federal agency for purposes of the FSLMRS when it hires and supervises dual-status technicians serving in their civilian role.
  • Why Administrative Law is relevant to Ohio Adjutant General’s Dept. v. FLRA

    The case examines the jurisdiction and authority of the Federal Labor Relations Authority, an administrative agency, over state entities acting under federal authority.

    Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)
    The Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (FSLMRS) provides for collective bargaining between federal agencies and their employees' unions; bars each from committing unfair labor practices; and establishes the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA) to investigate and adjudicate labor disputes.
  • Why Preemption is relevant to Ohio Adjutant General’s Dept. v. FLRA

    The decision implies federal law preempts state law regarding the employment and labor relations of dual-status technicians.

    Syllabus excerpt (verbatim)
    The statutory authority permitting the Ohio Adjutant General to employ dual-status technicians as civilian employees in the federal civil service reinforces this point.

Key Quotes

Short excerpts from the syllabus in Ohio Adjutant General’s Dept. v. FLRA that support the summary and concepts above.

  • The FLRA had jurisdiction over this labor dispute because a State National Guard acts as a federal agency for purposes of the FSLMRS when it hires and supervises dual-status technicians.
  • The statutory authority permitting the Ohio Adjutant General to employ dual-status technicians as civilian employees in the federal civil service reinforces this point.
  • The Court thus ordinarily presumes that the FSLMRS maintained the same coverage that existed under the prior regime.

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