SYSTEM FEDERATION NO. 18, RAILWAY EMPLOYES'
DEPARTMENT, A. F. OF L. (MACHINISTS)
DISPUTE: CLAIM OF EMPLOYES: That George A. Miller lost his seniority rights at Billerica shops by leaving his assignment at said shops and engaging in work at the Gould Coupler Corporation at Depew, New York, without first making joint arrangement with management and committee.
That all machinists who hold a seniority date prior to the date that Miller went to Gould Coupler Corporation are now senior to Miller at Billerica shops.
JOINT STATEMENT OF FACTS: The name of George A. Miller is shown on the Billerica shop seniority roster for the year 1939 as a machini4 and is the twenty-fourth item. Entrance service date-August 5, 1922. Present rating-August 5, 1922. He is a machinist and has been employed as such since that date.
In May 1939, Mr. Miller was sent to the Gould Coupler Corporation at Depew, N. Y., to inspect castings. No arrangement was made with local committee for the protection of Miller's seniority.
The committee requested the management to remove Miller's name from the seniority roster, which request was declined.
POSITION OF EMPLOYES: Rule 16 of the working agreement provides for the protection of an employe's seniority while working elsewhere:
Rule 16. When the requirements of the service will permit, an employee will be granted leave of absence under reasonable circumstances, but must make written application in duplicate to the official in charge, who will furnish one copy to the local committee.
If renewal is desired, written application in accordance with the foregoing requirements will be made prior to the expiration of the leave of absence previously granted. An employee, while on leave of absence, who engages in other work, will forfeit his seniority unless special arrangements have been made with the proper officials and the local committee."