Form 1 NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD Award No. 8642
SECOND DIVISION Docket No. 8376
2-C&O-CM-'81
The Second Division consisted of the regular members and in
addition Referee Kay McMurray when award was rendered.
( Brotherhood Railway Carmen of the United States and
Parties to Dispute: ( Canada




Dispute: Claim of Employes:





Findings:

The Second Division of the Adjustment Board, upon the whole record and all the evidence, finds that:

The carrier or carriers and the employe or employes involved in this dispute are respectively carrier and employe within the meaning of the Railway Labor Act as approved June 21, 1934.

This Division of the Adjustment Board has jurisdiction over the dispute involved herein.



Claimant, Mr. Fannin, received his original seniority date as a carmantentative on March 10, 1950. He was furloughed on October 3, 1958. The Carrier alleges that he was recalled on December 24, 1965, for a permanent carman-tentative position and failed to report. Accordingly, his name was removed from the seniority roster under Rule 27 which provides that "Those failing to notify of their intention to return or failing to return within a reasonable time will forfeit their seniority on the roster on which called."

In May of 1977 a carman vacancy existed at Russell. Mr. Fannin responded to the recall and was placed on the seniority list as of May 14, 1977.

Claimant challenges that new seniority date. The Organization claims that he was improperly recalled on December 24, 1965, and therefore should have his original seniority date.

The Carrier raises a serious procedural objection, pointing out that the claim was not filed in accordance with the time limit provisions in the contract. In so doing, it relies on Rule 35 of the controlling Agreement, which reads in pertinent part:
Form l Award No. 8642
Page 2 Docket No. 8376
2-C&O-CM-'81
"All claims or grievances must be presented in writing by
or on behalf of the employe involved, to the officer of
the carrier authorized to receive same, within 60 days
from the date of the occurrence on which the claim or


The record reveals that Claimant returned to service on May 14, 1977 and in June of 1977 had been made aware of his new seniority status by the Foreman. Unfortunately, he waited until March 18, 1978, to inform his organization of the problem and the grievance was filed on that date, over eight months after the occurrence.

The contract is an agreement between the parties and this Board is constrained by law and practice from any attempt to modify its terms.

Clearly the claim was not filed within the tine provided and therefore cannot be considered by the Board.






                            By Order of Second Division


Attest: Executive Secretary
National Railroad Adjustment Board

+By
      semarie Bras Kdmi trative Assistant

      m

      t ic Zo. 1981.

Dateat Chicago, Illinois, this 4th day of March,