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119 Ariz. 174

Montes v. Lininger

Court of Appeals of Arizona

Decided March 9, 1978

Court of Appeals of Arizona · decided 1978-03-09

Cited by 2 later decisions — most recently June 1978

2 state decisions

Key passage — most relied on by later courts

““We believe that Jacobs v. Kunes, supra, holds that as long as a meaningful post-termination hearing is held and the employee has a chance to recover back salary if his termination is found to be unlawful, a person may be discharged without hearing when the interest of the employer indicates this is necessary.” (Emphasis added) 569 P.2d at 814 .”

quoted by 1 later decision, including Roberts v. City of Tucson

Relies on Peacock v. Board of Regents of Universities & State Colleges · Jacobs v. Kunes · City of Flagstaff v. SUPERIOR COURT, ETC.

Good law ✅— No negative treatment on recordhow we know

Decided 1978-03-09

View the full empirical analysis of this case →

¶1OPINION

HOWARD, Judge.

¶2Appellant was a parks maintenance worker for the City of Tucson and a permanent employee. On February 4, 1976 he was discharged from his employment. The “Personnel Action Form” which he received gave the following reasons for his discharge. (1) He was doing unsatisfactory work; (2) he was non-productive; (3) he did not cooperate with his supervisors; (4) he did not help his co-workers; and (5) he was continually “fooling around” on the job.

¶3Since he was a permanent employee he was entitled to a termination hearing before the Civil Service Commission upon demand. He did so and a hearing was held on February 27, 1976. The Civil Service Commission upheld his discharge and on September 23, 1976, appellant filed a special action in the Pima County Superior Court. After a hearing the trial court dismissed the special action.

¶4Appellant contends the trial court erred in failing to reinstate him as an employee based upon the fact that he was denied due process of law by the failure of the City to give him a pre-termination hearing on procedure. We do not agree. The case of City of Flagstaff v. Superior Court, 116 Ariz. 382, 569 P.2d 812 (1977) is controlling:

We believe that Jacobs v. Kunes, supra [541 F.2d 222 (9th Cir.)], holds that as long as a meaningful post-termination hearing is held and the employee has a chance to recover back salary if his termination is found to be unlawful, a person may be discharged without hearing when the interest of the employer indicates this is necessary.
In balancing the interest of the City of Flagstaff (and the public) in maintaining a loyal and efficient fire department with the interest of the petitioner to a pre-termination hearing, we believe the need of the petitioner to a pre-termination hearing is outweighed by the interest of the City of Flagstaff in the continued efficient operation of its fire department, provided, of course, that a prompt and meaningful post-termination hearing is available upon request. Jacobs, Peacock [Peacock v. Board of Regents, 510 F.2d 1324 (9th Cir.)], supra. The need to prevent dissention or uproar in the department should allow a suspension or termination without hearing. …” 569 P.2d at 814.

¶5While admittedly the facts in City of Flagstaff, supra, were much more aggravated, it is a matter of degree only and does not mandate a different conclusion here.1

¶6The judgment is affirmed.

HATHAWAY, J., and RICHMOND, C. J., concur.

¶7. In Jacobs v. Kunes, 541 F.2d 222 (9th Cir. of the length of their hair. 1976), the employees were discharged because

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