Myrna Johnson v. Fred Meyer Stores, Inc.
Myrna Johnson v. Fred Meyer Stores, Inc.
Opinion of the Court
MEMORANDUM
Fred Meyer Stores, Inc. appeals the jury verdict and entry of judgment in fa
I
Johnson’s federal claims having been dismissed, the only claim remaining for trial was breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing arising under state law.
II
Johnson argues on cross appeal that it is a public policy tort for a supervisor to arrange an employee’s termination to replace her with another with whom he wishes to pursue a romantic relationship. Public policy torts exist separately from the covenant of good faith and fair dealing. See Kinzel v. Discovery Drilling, Inc., 93 P.3d 427, 432 (Alaska 2004). But no matter how infelicitous San Miguel’s alleged behavior may seem, Alaska evidences no such policy in-its common law, statutes or constitution. See Luedtke v. Nabors Alaska Drilling, Inc. 768 P.2d 1123, 1130-31 (Alaska 1989).
III
We therefore affirm on the cross appeal. We reverse the judgment in favor of Johnson for instructional error, and remand. On remand, the court may wish to consider its discretion with respect to retaining supplemental jurisdiction.
REVERSED AND REMANDED.
This disposition is not appropriate for publication and is not precedent except as provided by 9th Cir. R. 36-3.’
. The court could have declined supplemental jurisdiction over this claim under 28 U.S.C. § 1367(c). Given the novelty of the state law issue, it would be preferable for the courts of Alaska to address it.
Concurring in Part
concurring in part and dissenting in part:
I agree with the majority to affirm on the cross appeal and, therefore, join Part II of the majority’s memorandum disposition. However, because I believe the district court erred by not setting aside the jury verdict, I do not believe it necessary to address the issues presented in Part I of the majority’s memorandum disposition. I therefore dissent from the majority’s decision to remand the case back to the district court and would simply reverse the district court’s decision to not grant defendant’s motion for judgment as a matter of law outright.
The majority remands this case back to the district court, where the district court may order a new trial. Because I think the district court should have granted defendant’s motion for judgment as a matter of law, I would not reach the issue of whether the district court misapplied Alaska law by giving the second part of Jury Instruction No. 17. I therefore dissent from Part I of the majority’s memorandum disposition.
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