United States v. Myers

Background

The dispute concerns pay rules for customs inspectors and when they must receive extra compensation. Customs inspectors perform work at ports, bridges, and tunnels, sometimes at night, on Sundays, or on holidays. Some laws also allow certain private parties to get special licenses to unload goods on Sundays and holidays. A separate statutory rule lets collectors set rotating shift schedules so inspectors can provide 24-hour coverage.

Reasoning

The Court addressed whether extra pay depends on the time of day or on working beyond the regular daily tour. The Court concluded that extra compensation is owed when inspectors work overtime beyond the regular daily limit, not merely because their hours fall at night. The Court explained that the shift system authorizes assigning inspectors to eight-hour tours within a 24-hour day so that night duty alone does not trigger extra pay. The opinion also held that the statute separately contemplates extra pay for work on Sundays and holidays, and that the United States must pay statutory extra compensation even if the government does not collect matching sums from licensees. The Court rejected allowing the United States to offset parts of base pay against extra compensation.

Real world impact

As a result, inspectors who work hours beyond the ordinary daily tour, and those who work on Sundays or holidays as covered by the law, are entitled to additional statutory pay. Port collectors can organize eight-hour shifts to provide round-the-clock service without creating overtime. The United States is obliged to pay the statutory extra sums regardless of whether licensees pay corresponding amounts.

Dissents or concurrances

Chief Justice Stone disagreed in part and would have reversed the judgment entirely and dismissed the suits.