Court Opinion

ID: 9561329
Source: CourtListenerOpinion
Date Created: 2023-08-21 18:07:08.540875+00
Date Added: 2024-06-11T09:13:43.634481
License: Public Domain

Herd, J.,
dissenting: Retaliatory discharge is a tort. The grievance procedure contained in union-management collective bar*100gaining agreements pertains to breach of contract. A tort is a breach of a duty imposed by law and has different remedies and measures of damages, such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and exemplary damages, than does breach of contact.
The majority opinion denies workers an adequate remedy for employers’ tortious conduct, thus improperly encouraging the discharge of workers for making workers’ compensation claims. The majority opinion could also be interpreted as nullifying a union worker’s remedy for discriminatory discharge under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (1982).