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Case No. 16-0287

Susan Ackerman
v.
State of Iowa, Iowa Workforce Development, Teresa Wahlert, Teresa Hillary, and Devon Lewis

Plaintiff, formerly employed by defendant, Iowa Workforce Development under a collective-bargaining agreement (CBA), was granted an interlocutory appeal from a district court order dismissing one of her causes of action, a claim for wrongful discharge in violation of public policy, on the grounds that this claim is only available to at-will employees. Plaintiff contended the district court erred by: (1) considering the terms of the CBA and plaintiff’s grievance filing in the context of ruling on a motion to dismiss, and (2) holding that the tort of wrongful discharge in violation of public policy is not available to her because she was a party to a CBA. The court of appeals reversed and remanded, finding plaintiff’s employment under a CBA does not prevent her from pleading the tort of wrongful discharge. Defendants seek further review.

County:
Polk
Trial Court Case No.:
LACL131913

Resister

Susan Ackerman

Applicant

State of Iowa, Iowa Workforce Development, Teresa Wahlert, Teresa Hillary, and Devon Lewis

Attorneys for the Resister

William W. Grahm
Wesley T. Graham

Attorneys for the Applicant

Jeffrey C. Peterzalek
Matthew T. Oetker
Susan J. Hemminger

Supreme Court

Oral Argument Schedule

15-15-5

Nov 13, 2017 9:00 AM

Briefs

Supreme Court Opinion

Opinion Number:
16-0287
Date Published:
Jun 15, 2018
Date Amended:
Aug 21, 2018

Court of Appeals

Court of Appeals Opinion

Opinion Number:
16-0287
Date Published:
May 03, 2017
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