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Thomas v. Hempt Brothers
Citations: 97 L. Ed. 2d 751; 73 S. Ct. 568; 345 U.S. 19; 1953 U.S. LEXIS 2616; 97 L. Ed. 751Docket: 410
Court: Supreme Court of the United States; March 9, 1953; Federal Supreme Court; Federal Appellate Court
Petitioner Thomas filed a suit against Hempt Brothers in a Pennsylvania Court of Common Pleas seeking recovery for overtime wages, liquidated damages, and counsel fees under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). The complaint outlined that Hempt Brothers operates a stone quarry, manufacturing cement mixtures for various Pennsylvania projects, including those for the Pennsylvania Turnpike, Pennsylvania Railroad Company, an airport, and military depots. These projects were intended to facilitate interstate commerce. Thomas, employed in the production and handling of these products, alleged that he was entitled to compensation under the FLSA. The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania upheld a trial court judgment favoring Hempt Brothers, concluding that the complaint did not establish a viable cause of action under the FLSA. This decision conflicted with a ruling from the Third Circuit in Tobin v. Alstate Construction Co., prompting the U.S. Supreme Court to grant certiorari due to this discrepancy. The U.S. Supreme Court reversed the Pennsylvania Supreme Court's judgment, asserting that the state courts erred in dismissing the complaint. It emphasized that the reasons for affirming the Alstate case necessitated a reversal in this case. The judgment was remanded to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for further proceedings consistent with the opinion. Justices Frankfurter and Douglas dissented, referencing their dissent in the Alstate case.