Saxonis v. City of Lynn
Saxonis v. City of Lynn
Opinion of the Court
2. In acting on the motions for summary judgment, the judge was required, as are we, to accept Saxonis’s allegations that Malagrifa and others acting on his behalf promised her employment both as a permanent substitute for Lazaris during the 1996-1997 school year, and as her replacement thereafter when she retired. See Hull v. Massachusetts Port Authy., 441 Mass. 508, 509-510 (2004). First, as to Malagrifa’s promises to keep Saxonis in service as a permanent substitute, they cannot be enforced because they run counter to the express legislative policy that made her, as matter of law, an at-will employee. See G. L. c. 71, § 42, as amended through St. 1993, c. 71, § 44. Moreover, Saxonis was presumed to know that these representations were contrary to law and that she could not rely on them. See McAndrew v. School Comm. of Cambridge, 20 Mass. App. Ct. 356, 361 (1985); Harrington v. Fall River Housing Authy., 27 Mass. App. Ct. 301, 307-310 (1989). Next, in contrast, Malagrifa was vested by law with the authority, subject to approval by Lynn’s superintendent of schools, to hire Saxonis as Lazaris’s replacement, see G. L. c. 71, § 59B, although he would not have been required to retain her for the ninety-day period necessary under G. L. c. 71, § 42, to give her rudimentary rights to notice and a hearing prior to dismissal. As explained in McAndrew, the promise or representation that was within Malagrifa’s authority may form the basis for a detrimental reliance claim. Id. at 362-365. A jury could reasonably conclude that, based on Malagrifa’s promises and Saxonis’s detrimental reliance thereon, a contract was formed to hire Saxonis as Lazaris’s replacement (on an at-will basis), and that Saxonis could recover reliance damages (primarily from closing her business) for the breach. See ibid. See also Loranger Constr. Corp. v. E.F. Hauserman Co., 376 Mass. 757, 760-761 (1978). Cf. Rhode Island Hosp. Trust Natl. Bank v. Varadian, 419 Mass. 841, 848-850 (1995). Summary judgment should therefore not have been allowed on so much of Saxonis’s complaint as alleges detrimental reliance by Saxonis arising out of the August, 1997, hiring of LeBrun. Finally, Saxonis’s claims
3. In count II of her complaint Saxonis alleges wrongful termination on two occasions while she served as a substitute for Lazaris: her replacement by another teacher for a period from February to March of 1997, and upon Lazaris’s return from leave in May, 1997. With regard to the first incident, Saxonis has raised an inference that Malagrifa sought to rotate substitute teachers to save money for the district (due to the salary difference between day-to-day and long-term substitute teachers) and to prevent her from achieving seniority status. However, we agree with the trial judge that Saxonis has failed to identify a “clearly established public policy” violated in either instance. See King v. Driscoll, 418 Mass. 576, 582 (1994). She has cited no authority, either in statute, case law, or the collective bargaining agreement, establishing such a policy. While placement of an unlicensed and uncertified teacher as a long-term substitute was likely improper, it did not violate any employment rights clearly vested in Saxonis. See, e.g., id. at 583-585 & n.7. Another teacher could have been selected to replace Saxonis at any time. Finally, Saxonis’s claim for breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing cannot succeed as her complaint does not allege that her termination served to deprive her of compensation owed for past performance. See King v. Driscoll, 424 Mass. 1, 6-7 (1996); Harrison v. NetCentric Corp., 433 Mass. 465, 473 (2001).
4. Saxonis’s claim that the union breached the duty of fair representation in refusing to pursue her complaint of not being named Lazaris’s successor fails (even if she was a member of the bargaining unit) because she has demonstrated no reasonable expectation of proving that the union’s conduct was “arbitrary, discriminatory, or in bad faith” or “perfunctory or demonstrative of inexcusable neglect,” Graham v. Quincy Food Serv. Employees Assn. & Hosp., Library & Pub. Employees Union, 407 Mass. 601, 606 (1990) (citations omitted), as contrasted with a reasonable, good faith assessment that her grievances lacked merit. See id. at 609. See also Cappellano v. Massachusetts Bay Transp. Authy., 38 Mass. App. Ct. 231, 235 (1995). Cf. National Assn. of Govt. Employees v. Labor Relations Commn., 38 Mass. App. Ct. 611, 613 (1995), in which the plaintiff was simply ignored. Saxonis’s other allegations against the union are untimely and conclusory.
5. We dispose of Saxonis’s remaining claims as follows, (a) Count m (civil conspiracy and wrongful termination): Saxonis’s bare and conclusory allegations of a grandiose plot and coverup to prevent her hiring cannot survive summary judgment. Saxonis has failed to show a reasonable expectation of proving that any defendants acted in concert to unlawfully deprive her of employment, (b) Count IV (tortious interference with contractual or advantageous business relations): In his official capacity, Malagrifa is immune from liability under G. L. c. 258, § 10(c). To the extent he is sued in his individual capacity, Malagrifa cannot be liable for interfering with his own hiring decision. Saxonis’s claims for tortious interference with her at-will employment during the 1996-1997 school year are also time-barred. Her argument regarding potential claims against all other defendants has not been sufficiently developed within the meaning of Mass.R.A.P. 16(a)(4), as amended, 367 Mass. 921 (1975). (c) Count V (fraud and deceit): Saxonis’s complaint pleaded with requisite specificity only the actions of LeBrun, and the judge
6. In accordance with this opinion, the judgment is affirmed as to all counts with the exception of that portion of count I relating to detrimental reliance and amounts owed for work performed during the 1996-1997 school year. As to that portion, the judgment is vacated and the matter is remanded to the Superior Court.
So ordered.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- Donna Saxonis & another v. City of Lynn & others
- Cited By
- 13 cases
- Status
- Published