Would one have a case if a job were promised and then given to someone else?

My husband works at a machine shop that has a union. He has been heavily involved in the union for many years (14+). Six months ago he was asked to take a 6-month leave from his job in the shop and do the work of a union business representative. The deal was made between the Business Director, istant Business Director, and my husband. My husband's district then merged with another district. That Business Director, and the 2 gentlement from my husband's district met. When the merge was completed, the istant's position would be written into the agreement, and my husband was supposed to then be brought on staff afterward. There were many delays, and after each delay my husband would inquire about what was happening. He only had 6 months of leave and then had to return to his shop. He was told after each delay to be patient, that it would happen, and that the job was his. We were not to worry. Well, there was an open application/interview done. This was supposed to be just a formality, to be politically correct. My husband was supposed to have the job locked in. He had been doing the job for 6 months and was told he was doing it well. He was told 2 weeks before he was supposed to be brought on staff that the job was given to someone else. My husband has 14+ years experience in the union, has negotiated 3 contracts, has a lot of local and district level experience. The guy who got the job has only been president of his local lodge, has no contract negotiation experience, and has no experience doing the work of a business rep. When my husband questioned the decision, he was told that the job was given to the other guy basically because he spoke well or better in the interview. We spent money we didn't have for my husband to do this job for 6 months. We put wear and tear on our already not-so-great vehicle for him to do this job for 6 months. Now he is going back to his factory, and we have nothing but a dying vehicle. Do we have any legal recourse? Nothing was in writing, but there were 2 credible witnesses to the deal, and he was told over and over that the job was his.