Catania v. Eastern Airlines, Inc.
Decision Date | 19 February 1980 |
Docket Number | Nos. 79-1009,s. 79-1009 |
Citation | 381 So.2d 265 |
Parties | Vincent J. CATANIA, John Edward Dortch, Albert Babchick, and Donald J. Duerr, Appellants, v. EASTERN AIRLINES, INC., Appellee. to 79-1012. |
Court | Florida District Court of Appeals |
August, Gassen, Pohlig & Milstein and Rosemary J. Michael, Miami, for appellants.
Carmen L. Leon, Miami, for appellee.
Before PEARSON, HENDRY and BARKDULL, JJ.
In these appeals, arising from a common basis, the appellants, Vincent J. Catania, John Edward Dortch, Albert Babchick and Donald J. Duerr, alleged in separate complaints filed in the circuit court that they had been wrongfully discharged by the appellee, Eastern Air Lines, Inc. They claimed the right to compensatory and punitive damages in three counts 1 upon various legal theses. The trial court dismissed Counts II, III and IV of the legally-identical complaints. The court thereafter entered a summary judgment on Count I and a final summary judgment for the defendant upon the action.
The points presented by the plaintiffs correspond to the theories for recovery advanced in the complaints. Count I appears to proceed upon a contract theory by alleging that the plaintiffs had a right not to be discharged upon false charges which the employer knew to be false and without the good faith employment of review procedures provided for non-union employees. A summary judgment was entered on this count.
We think that it is clear from the trial judge's action on the other counts of the complaint that he would have dismissed Count I, along with Counts II, III and IV, except for the allegation in Count I that the plaintiffs were entitled by contract to a review of their discharge which was not afforded them. The record before the court on the motion for summary judgment shows without genuine issues that the review was afforded. The plaintiffs' argument that the review was not made in good faith is not supported by any fact in the record. A summary judgment on Count I is proper if the remaining allegations do not state an action in contract.
The plaintiffs recognize that the law in Florida, and in most jurisdictions, is that if the period of employment is indefinite, either party may terminate it at any time; that is, unless the employment contract specifically obligates both the employer and the employee for a definite term of employment, the employment is considered to be indefinite and terminable at the will of either party. See DeMarco v. Publix Super Markets, Inc., 360 So.2d 134 (Fla. 3d DCA 1978); and Hope v. National Airlines, 99 So.2d 244 (Fla. 3d DCA 1957).
The gist of appellants' argument is that:
We reject the plaintiffs' invitation to be a "law giver" in this case. We do so recognizing that the courts in some jurisdictions have taken the path the plaintiffs wish us to take. See Pstragowski v. Metropolitan Life Insurance Company, 553 F.2d 1 (1st Cir. 1977); Koch Industries, Inc. v. Vosko, 494 F.2d 713 (10th Cir. 1974); Fortune v. National Cash Register Company, 373 Mass. 96, 364 N.E.2d 1251 (1977); Monge v. Beebe Rubber Company, 114 N.H. 130, 316 A.2d 549 (1974); and Petermann v. International Brotherhood, etc., 174 Cal.App.2d 184, 344 P.2d 25 (1959).
We find the plaintiffs' cases inappropriate for an extension of the law in that the burden of each count of the complaint is that the defendant's motive for not wishing to employ the plaintiffs further was a bad motive. The courts have generally found it difficult and inappropriate to make civil actions dependent on the motive or intent of the defendant, except where such an element is central or integral to the form of action undertaken. Cf. Winn & Lovett Grocery Co. v. Archer, 126 Fla. 308, 171 So. 214, 221 (1936).
The second count of the complaint sought...
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Phung v. Waste Management, Inc.
... ... Presbyterian Medical Center (1978), 41 Colo.App. 465, 590 P.2d 513; Cantania v. Eastern Air Lines [sic Airlines ] (Fla.App.1981) [sic 1980], 381 So.2d 265 ... "Other courts have held ... ...
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Helen West v. Roadway Express, Inc.
... ... Presbyterian Medical Center (1978), 41 Colo. App. 465, ... 590 P. 2d 513; Catania v. Eastern Air Lines (Fla ... App., 1981), 381 So. 2d 265 ... Other ... ...
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Peter L. Phung v. Waste Management, Inc. and Francis J. Sidoti
... ... Presbyterian Medical Center (1978), 41 Colo.App. 465, ... 590 P.2d 513; Catania v. Eastern Air Lines ... (Fla.App., 1981), 381 So.2d 265 ... "Other courts have held ... ...
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Helen West v. Roadway Express, Inc., 82-LW-2689
... ... Presbyterian Medical Center ... (1978), 41 Colo. App. 465, 590 P. 2d 513; Catania v. Eastern ... Air Lines (Fla. App., 1981), 381 So. 2d 265 ... Other ... ...