Reese et al v. CNH America, L. L. C.

Filing 316

JUDGMENT in favor of Plaintiffs against Defendants Signed by District Judge Patrick J. Duggan. (MOre)

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF MICHIGAN
SOUTHERN DIVISION

JACK REESE, FRANCES ELAINE PIDDE,
JAMES CICHANOFSKY, ROGER MILLER,
GEORGE NOWLIN and RONALD HITT,
Plaintiffs,
v.
CNH GLOBAL N.V. and CNH AMERICA LLC,
Defendants.

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Case 2:04-cv-70592-PJD-PJK
Hon. Patrick J. Duggan, U.S.D.J.
Hon. Paul J. Komives, U.S. Mag. J.

FINAL JUDGMENT
On February 18, 2004, Plaintiffs initiated this class action seeking: (a) a declaratory
judgment that they and their surviving spouses have a vested right to lifetime health care benefits
from CNH America LLC; (b) mental distress damages; and (c) permanent injunctive relief. (R. 1,
Compl. 6–7.) On May 6, 2005, Plaintiffs amended their complaint to add CNH Global N.V. as a
defendant. (R. 59, Am. Compl. ¶ 5.)
On August 29, 2007, this Court entered an opinion and order granting Plaintiffs’ motion
for summary judgment (R. 214, Op. & Order 24) and, in a separate opinion and order, ruled that
there was a genuine issue of fact as to whether Defendant CNH Global N.V. was a proper
defendant in this litigation (R. 213, Op. & Order 12).
On January 14, 2008, this Court entered a stipulated order resolving Plaintiffs’ claims
against CNH Global N.V., under which CNH Global N.V. was obligated to guarantee the
performance of CNH America LLC’s obligations under this Court’s August 29, 2007, liability
ruling. (R. 226, Stip. Order ¶ 3.)

On February 15, 2008, this Court entered Judgment in favor of Plaintiffs. (R. 227, J.
¶¶ 1–6.)
On March 20, 2008, the clerk taxed costs in favor of Plaintiffs. (R. 235, Taxed Bill
Cost 1.)
On June 20, 2008, this Court entered an opinion and order awarding Plaintiffs attorney
fees and costs. (R. 242, Op. & Order 10.)
On July 27, 2009, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit issued its
Opinion, affirming in part and reversing in part this Court’s Judgment, vacating the attorney fee
award, and remanding the case for further proceedings consistent with the Sixth Circuit’s
Opinion. Reese v. CNH Am. LLC, 574 F.3d 315, 324–25, 327 (6th Cir. 2009).
On October 6, 2009, the Sixth Circuit issued its Mandate. (R. 249, 6th Cir. Mandate 1.)
On March 3, 2011, this Court granted Plaintiffs’ motions for summary judgment (R. 273,
290), denied CNH America LLC’s motion for approval of benefits changes (R. 271), and denied
Defendants’ motions for summary judgment (R. 280, 293). (R. 304, Op. & Order 24–25.)
In accordance with the stipulated order of November 16, 2007, the plaintiff class in this
case is defined to be:
All former bargaining unit employees who retired under the Case Corporation
Pension Plan for Hourly Paid Employees after July 1, 1994, and who retired on or
before April 1, 2005 (other than former employees eligible for or receiving
retirement benefits under the deferred vested provisions of the Pension Plan and
former employees hired after May 18, 1998), and all surviving spouses of those
former bargaining unit employees.
(R. 223, Stip. Order ¶ 5.) (Judith Myers, the spouse of a member of the class in the companion
case of Yolton v. El Paso Tennessee Pipeline Co., Case 2:02-cv-75164-PJD-DAS (E.D. Mich.
filed Dec. 23, 2002), did not elect to be included in the relief provided to persons retiring
between December 1, 2004, and April 1, 2005, and thus is entitled to no relief in this case.)

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IT IS ORDERED, ADJUDGED, AND DECREED, that:
1.

This Court has subject matter jurisdiction and venue over this action and personal

jurisdiction over the parties as set forth in the Court’s opinions and orders dated February 14
(R. 53) and November 15, 2005 (R. 83).
2.

For the reasons set forth in an Opinion and Order issued on March 3, 2011

(R. 304), this Court declares, adjudges, and decrees that the plaintiff class is hereby entitled to
vested lifetime retiree health care benefits from CNH America LLC as provided for in the labor
agreements in effect at the time of their or their deceased spouses’ retirement.
3.

For the reasons set forth in an Opinion and Order issued on March 3, 2011

(R. 304), this Court reinstates the attorney fee award it entered on June 20, 2008.
4.

The Taxed Bill of Cost entered on March 20, 2008, is effective without further

action by Plaintiffs.
5.

In accordance with the stipulated order entered on January, 14, 2008 (R. 226),

which the parties agree will apply to this judgment, CNH Global N.V. is hereby ordered to
guarantee CNH America LLC’s performance of the obligations to the plaintiff class described
herein.
6.

For the reasons set forth in an opinion and order issued on August 29, 2007

(R. 212), Plaintiff Ronald Hitt’s claims against CNH America LLC and CNH Global N.V. are
hereby dismissed without prejudice, so that they can be resolved in Yolton in which Mr. Hitt is
already a class member.
7.

Based on the stipulation of the parties, Plaintiffs’ requests for a permanent

injunction and for mental distress damages are withdrawn without prejudice.

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This is a final judgment of this action. It is further ordered that the Clerk of the Court
shall terminate this action from the dockets of this Court.
SO ORDERED.

s/Patrick J. Duggan
Patrick J. Duggan
United States District Judge
Dated: May 10, 2011
I hereby certify that a copy of the foregoing document was served upon counsel of record on
Tuesday, May 10, 2011, by electronic and or ordinary mail.
s/Marilyn Orem
Case Manager

Approved as to Form:
/s with consent Roger J. McClow
Roger J. McClow
Attorney for Plaintiffs

Dated: April 19, 2011

s/ Norman C. Ankers
Norman C. Ankers
Attorney for Defendants

Dated: April 19, 2011

9106572.1

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