From the facts at hand, it sounds as though you have a case for wrongful termination. You can go both routes and go to a hearing and try to get said hearing expedited. You may also file a suit for wrongful termination. Going one route is not necessarily excluding the other route. You need to be aware that filing suit may permanently cost you your job however, whereas through the hearing process you may be able to get your job back. If you can find employment to hold you over in the meantime until the hearing, it may be worth it to put off filing suit until you receive a verdict from your emplyment hearing.
As to whether you have a cause of action, once again, from the facts at hand, I believe that you do.
Lawyer
In-House Counsel for State's Largest Agency