Does an employer have to come forward and justify the termination of an employee?

Goetz argues that where reasons for discharge must be provided to the employee, as here, the employer must come forward and justify the termination. He claims that the collective bargaining agreement changed his status from an employee who served at will to one who could be discharged solely for cause. For this contention plaintiff relies upon In re King v. Sapier, 47 A.D.2d 114, 364 N.Y.S.2d 652 (4th Dep't 1975), aff'd, 38 N.Y.2d 960, 384 N.Y.S.2d 152, 348 N.E.2d 609 (1976).