Opinion ID: 552818
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: facts

Text: 2 Eldridge was an employee of Felec Services, Inc. until his dismissal. During the course of his employment, Eldridge suffered an injury from exposure to radio frequency radiation that made him unavailable for work for several weeks. Felec Services contends that Eldridge was dismissed pursuant to a collective bargaining provision requiring dismissal under these circumstances. Eldridge claims that he was dismissed in retaliation for filing a workers' compensation claim for his injuries. 3 Eldridge filed a complaint in state court alleging discharge in violation of public policy. Felec Services removed the case to federal court on diversity grounds. In district court Eldridge argued that his termination was in violation of public policy and thus a breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing implied by state law into every employment contract. Eldridge also alleged that Felec Services had committed an independent tort of retaliatory discharge in violation of public policy. The district court granted Felec Services' motion for summary judgment, holding that the contract claim was preempted by section 301 of the Labor Management Relations Act. See 29 U.S.C. Sec. 185. The court further held that Alaska courts do not recognize an independent tort for discharge in violation of public policy.