Alaska State Employees Ass'n/AFSCME Local 52 v. State

OPINION

EASTAUGH, Justice.

I. INTRODUCTION

The Alaska Child Support Enforcement Division terminated an administrative clerk after learning that she had been convicted of felony theft of public money. In the ensuing grievance proceeding, the arbitrator ruled that the termination was not for "just cause" and ordered the grievant reinstated. Because the grievant's position gave her access to sensitive information and was potentially subject to intense public scrutiny, we agree with the superior court that the arbitrator committed gross error by failing to find just cause. We therefore affirm the…