October Term 2022 · Docket 21-1454
Do state National Guard technicians count as federal employees for labor law purposes?
The Ohio Adjutant General's Department argues it is not a federal agency. The Federal Labor Relations Authority says it is.
Verified source milestones
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official oral-argument transcript was verified.
- — An official Court opinion was verified.
The arguments, in order
This case may have been argued more than once. Each entry below uses that session's official transcript. Later arguments do not erase earlier ones.
Argument 1 ·
What happened at the argument
Mr. Flowers argued the Sixth Circuit erred. He stated the Reform Act defines agencies specifically. He listed executive departments and government corporations.
Ms. Reaves argued the sides that brought the case act in a federal civilian role. She stated they are not acting in a federal military role. She emphasized their role in the federal employment system.
Mr. Grajales argued a ruling for the union is unique. He stated it will not affect other state entities. He described the scheme as unique for the National Guard.
Read the official transcript for this argument · Official argument details
Sources used for this argument breakdown
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 9-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 9-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 11-25
A citizen's guide to the whole case
What this case is about
The dispute centers on whether state National Guard technicians are federal employees. The Ohio Adjutant General's Department claims it is not a federal agency. The Federal Labor Relations Authority asserts it is.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 11-25
How the case got here
The Supreme Court heard oral argument in this case on January 9, 2023.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 25-37
What each side wants
The Ohio Adjutant General's Department wants the Court to reverse the lower court orders. It seeks to avoid federal labor law obligations.
The Federal Labor Relations Authority wants the Court to affirm the lower court orders. It seeks to enforce federal labor law compliance.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 11-25
What each side says
The Ohio Adjutant General's Department argues the Reform Act defines agencies narrowly. It claims state guards are not federal agencies when employing technicians.
The Federal Labor Relations Authority argues the sides that brought the case act in a federal civilian role. It claims they must comply with federal labor orders.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 11-25
What the justices asked
Justice Kagan asked what collective bargaining rights mean for these employees. She questioned who sits across the table to bargain.
Justice Thomas asked when a technician is a federal employee. He asked for the specific purposes of that status.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 9-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 9-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-53
Why it matters
This case defines the scope of federal labor law. It determines whether state National Guard technicians have federal bargaining rights. It clarifies the legal status of dual-status employees.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 11-25
What happens next
This article currently covers the argument record. Use the official docket link for later case activity.
Official sources for this section
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 10, lines 7-27 — Transcript, file page 10, lines 7-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 11-33 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 11-33
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 49-49 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 49-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 12, lines 51-17 — Transcript, file page 12, lines 51-17
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 11-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 11-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 51-9 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 51-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 25-27 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 25-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 35-39 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 35-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 45-47 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 45-47
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 7, lines 51-53 — Transcript, file page 7, lines 51-53
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 70, lines 47-15 — Transcript, file page 70, lines 47-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 72, lines 13-41 — Transcript, file page 72, lines 13-41
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 73, lines 9-39 — Transcript, file page 73, lines 9-39
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 39-49 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 39-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 75, lines 55-9 — Transcript, file page 75, lines 55-9
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 19-23 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 19-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 29-31 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 29-31
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 76, lines 51-1 — Transcript, file page 76, lines 51-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 17-27 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 17-27
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 77, lines 53-1 — Transcript, file page 77, lines 53-1
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 15-25 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 15-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 8, lines 47-7 — Transcript, file page 8, lines 47-7
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 80, lines 25-37 — Transcript, file page 80, lines 25-37
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 41-43 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 41-43
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 9, lines 47-53 — Transcript, file page 9, lines 47-53
Official Court provenance
Official docket and case history · Official Supreme Court oral-argument detail page
Verified official opinions and orders
Title and summary sources
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 11-25
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 105, lines 19-49 — Transcript, file page 105, lines 19-49
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 5, lines 25-23 — Transcript, file page 5, lines 25-23
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 57, lines 13-15 — Transcript, file page 57, lines 13-15
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 69, lines 9-45 — Transcript, file page 69, lines 9-45
- Official Supreme Court Transcript — file page 93, lines 11-25 — Transcript, file page 93, lines 11-25
Revision history
- Revision 1 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Rewritten to the concise citizen-facing editorial standard.
- Revision 2 · Post Opinion ·
Correction: Migrated to the dated official Court activity contract without model use.