Form 1 NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD Award No. 10004
SECOND DIVISION Docket No. 9698
2-SCL-SM-184
The Second Division consisted of the regular members and in
addition Referee Francis M. Mulligan when award was rendered.
( Sheet Metal Workers' International Association
Parties to Dispute:
( Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company
Dispute: Claim of Employes:
1. Sheet Metal Worker J. S. Smith unjustly discipline (sic).
2. Carrier be ordered to compensate ten (10) days at pro rata rate.
3. Compensate for any overtime lost between September 19-29, 1980.
4. Compensate for any jury duty pay Smith may be entitle (sic) to.
5. Ten (10) days suspension count for vacation qualifying time and any other
contractual benefits he may have been entitle (sic) to.
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 employes 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.
Parties to said dispute waived right of appearance at hearing thereon.
James S. Smith entered service with Seaboard Coast Line Railroad Company as a
sheet metal worker in December of 1976. He has worked continuously for the Carrier
since that date. Claimant at the time of the incidents worked at the Atlanta,
Georgia facility. Claimant was cited for a full investigation on-August 6, 1980.
The trial was held on September 4, 1980. Claimant was cited for failure to follow
instructions given to him by Foreman J. H. Robinson on July 9, 1980 and July 17,
1980 in connection with reporting to a physician to furnish medical information,
failure to report for work on July 29, 1980 and reporting late for work on July
30, 1980. In addition, he was charged with violation of Rule 1 and a portion of
Rule 12 relating to disloyalty, dishonesty, insubordination, willful neglect,
making false statements or concealing facts in certain matters under investigation
and Rule 26 of the Rules and Regulations of the Mechanical Department.
Form 1 Award No. 10004 -
Page 2 Docket No. 9698
2-SCL-SM-184
After a full review of the transcript, it would appear that the charges
related to the alleged infractions on July 9, 1980 and July 17, 1980 were not
sustained and the charges related to the July 29, 1980 and July 30, 1980 incidents
would be a close call based upon the merits; however, after reviewing all of the
procedural and due process irregularities claimed by the Organization, such as two
(2) people conducting the hearing, charges overly broad regarding the dishonesty,
etc. and the triple role played by the Master Mechanic as witness, judge and jury,
the failure of the person who presented the charges to be present and the issue of
unfairness in the proceedings regarding the restrictions placed on the Organization's
representatives in asking questions while latitude was given to the Carrier's
representatives, this case should be decided on the procedural issues. Actually,
a fundamental due process issue is that a party should not have a multiplicity of
roles in a proceeding in which a party is a witness and a judge at the same time.
In effect, the judge is passing upon his own credibility. Fairness, under these
circumstances, is difficult or nearly impossible to attain. In this case, Master
Mechanic Dudley was the first witness on behalf of the Carrier and he presented
significant testimony in the proceeding. The same Master Mechanic, by letter
dated September 15, 1980 to J. S. Smith, was the person who notified Claimant in a
two-page detailed letter that discipline was being imposed in his case. Actually,
the letter, as indicated, is quite detailed passing upon the credibility of the
Claimant's testimony as well as a warning regarding future conduct and its consequences. ,~_,
As was stated in the First Division Award No. 8259,
"...
(Where) an official
expects to be used as a witness for the Carrier in one of these investigations, he
should limit his activities to testifying. He should not participate in the
investigation, either
as an Examiner or in passing upon the question of fact under
investigation. The position of witness with Examiner and judge are not compatible.
Likewise, if an official unexpectedly is required as a witness for the Carrier, he
should thereafter not further participate in the investigation, save as a witness."
The function of the Board is to pass upon the regularity of the proceedings. The
trial is under the control of the Carrier. The Board is not present to pass upon
the credibility of the parties. However, regularity in the proceeding is a
necessity when one party controls the investigation and issues the decision. There
cannot be such a meshing of roles that the proceeding appears irregular on its
face. Consistent with the reasoning cited above, the claim is sustained.
A W A R D
Claim sustained.
NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD
By Order of Second Division
Attest:
Nancy ver - Executive Secretary
_,fir
Dated at Chicago, Illinois, this 1st day of August 1984.
Form 1 NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD Award No. 10005
SECOND DIVISION Docket No. 9701
2-CR-MA-184
The Second Division consisted of the regular members and in
addition Referee Francis M. Mulligan when award was rendered.
( International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers
Parties to Dispute:
( Consolidated Rail Corporation
Dispute: Claim of Employes:
1. That the Consolidated Rail Corporation be ordered to restore machinist
J. L. Dixon to service and compensate him for all pay lost up to time of
restoration to service at the prevailing Machinist rate of pay.
2. That Machinist J. L. Dixon be compensated for all insurance benefits,
vacation benefits, holiday benefits and any other benefits that may have
accrued and were lost during this period, in accordance with Rule 7~-A1(e) of the prevailing Agreement which was effective May 1, 1979.
Findings:
The Second Division of the Adjustment Board, upon the whole record and a.11
the evidence finds that:
The carrier or carriers and the employe or employes involved in this dispute
are respectively carrier and employes 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.
Parties to said dispute waived right of appearance at hearing thereon.
Machinist J. L. Dixon, at the time of the incident leading to his discharge,
had been in the service of the Carrier for thirteen (13) years. As a result of
the incident, Claimant was notified on October 20, 1980 to appear far trial on
Novemer 30, 1980 to answer to the charges involving violation of the safety rule No.
4002, violation of Rule (G), assaulting a company official and violation of Rule (E)
governing locomotive department employes. Rule 4002 deals with use of alcoholic
beverages and narcotics. Rule (G) deals with intoxicants and other mindtransforming substances. Rule (E) deals with fighting and other prohibitive
activities. In this case, Carrier, through competent testimony, proved that J. L.
Dixon had been drinking, was given an opportunity to leave the premises, remained
on the premises, struck a shop superintendent, continued on the premises, was
subdued by security guards and taken off the premises. Ample testimony was
presented proving that Claimant violated the rules specified in the charges. The
Carrier has met its burden of proof.
Form 1 Award No. 10005
Page 2 Docket No. 9701
2-CR-MA-184
A W A R D
Claim denied.
NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD
By Order of Second Division
Attest: _ _
Nancy ver - Executive Secretary
Dated at Chicago, Illinois, this 1st day of August 1984.
.