Stokes
Stokes v. Bechtel North American Power Corp.
Opinion
Opinion
Vukasin, J.
ORDER GRANTING PLAINTIFF’S MOTION TO REMAND ACTION TO STATE COURT
INTRODUCTION
Plaintiff Charles Stokes is a nuclear engineer who was hired in November of 1982 by defendants [collectively, “Bechtel”] as a field engineer at the Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant [“Diablo Canyon” or the “Plant”] in San Luis Obispo, California. Under the terms of his employment agreement, Stokes was to identify and report on quality assurance deficiencies in the pipe support and pipe stress designs at the Plant. He claims that he diligently and satisfactorily performed his duties; nonetheless, his employment with Bechtel was terminated on October 14, 1984, allegedly in retaliation for his refusal to suppress information concerning quality assurance problems and design miscalculations at Diablo Canyon.
Plaintiff’s first amended complaint was filed in California Superior Court for the County of San Francisco on November 14, 1984. Bechtel was served on November 28, 1984, and filed its petition for removal the following December 28. The complaint states seven causes of action: (1) breach of contract; (2) breach of the covenant of good faith and fair dealing; (3) wrongful discharge; (4) negligent…