The Employment Relations Authority is to determine whether the sacking of a NIWA scientist was justified.
Jim Salinger was fired from the National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research in April after more than 20 years' service.
Dr Salinger told Radio New Zealand on Monday that mediation has been unsuccessful and expects the authority to hear his case in August or September.
He says the reason he was given for being fired was that he had unauthorised contact with media.
