Form 1 NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD Award No. 10597
SECOND DIVISION Docket No. 10365
2-SSR-FO-'85
The Second Division consisted of the regular members and in
addition Referee Marty E. Zusman when award was rendered.
(International Brotherhood of Firemen & Oilers
Parties to Dispute:
(Seaboard System Railroad Company
Dispute: Claim of Employes:
1. That under the current and controlling agreement, Laborer C. H.
White, I. D. No. 165188, was unjustly dismissed from the service of the Seaboard
Coast Line Railroad Company, on November 12, 1982, after a formal investigation
was held in the office of Shop Superintendent Mr. J. A. New, Jacksonville,
Florida.
2. That accordingly, Laborer C. H. White be restored to his assignment
at West Jacksonville Shops, Jacksonville, Florida, with all seniority rights
unimpaired, vacation, health and welfare benefits, hospital, life and dental
insurance premiums be paid, and compensated for all lost time effective November
12, 1982, for each and every day Mr. White is not permitted to protect his
assignment at the pro-rata rate of pay, and the payment of 10% interest rate
added thereto.
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.
Claimant C. H. White sustained an on-the-job injury to his right foot
while moving a load regulator on September 2, 1982. Following the injury the
Claimant indicated no problem, was examined by a physician and released to
continue work. On the next day, Claimant notified Carrier and marked off
before his tour of duty. In the following week Claimant was requested to
contact the Shop Superintendent on two occasions.
By letter of September 5, 1982 the Claimant was notified to attend a
formal investigation to determine his responsibility if any, for a violation
of Mechanical Department Rule 12 in that it was alleged Claimant failed to
comply with the instruction to call and was absent without permission.
Mp
Form 1 Award No. 10597
Page 2 Docket No. 10365
2-SSR-FO-'85
Claimant was also charged with violating Safety Rules relating to the injury
and its cause. As a result of an investigation, Claimant was notified on
November 12, 1982 that he had been found guilty and was dismissed from
service of the Carrier.
A careful and thorough review of the record indicates that the Claimant
was instructed to contact the Shop Superintendent on September 4, 1982. The
Claimant failed to contact the Shop Superintendent in response to the
September 4th request. On September 7, 1982, the Claimant went to a physician's office. The record indicates that the receptionist called and talked
to the Shop Superintendent who states that he requested a conversation with
the Claimant. The Shop Superintendent indicated by memorandum that the
receptionist stated that the Claimant would not come to the phone. He then
asked the receptionist to inform the Claimant to call by 2 P.M.
The Claimant disputes the above events
maintaining that
he was not
informed by the receptionist that the Shop Superintendent wanted to speak to
him on the phone. The Claimant states that he was informed later that day to
call the Shop Superintendent. He maintains that he did indeed call and talk
to the Shop Superintendent, J. C. Davis. That call is disputed by the Shop
Superintendent who states for the record that the call never occurred. By
long established position, this Board does not decide issues of credibility
and is not a trier of facts (see Third Division Awards 9230, 9322, 10113,
21612). On the whole of the record it is clear that the Claimant had been
requested on at least two occasions to contact the Shop Superintendent. There
is dispute in the record as to whether any contact occurred, but the Hearing
Officer concluded that the Claimant had not contacted the Shop Superintendent.
As such, this Board must determine if there is sufficient probative
evidence to warrant conclusion of guilt with respect to a violation of Rule
12 in failing to comply with reasonable instructions and the Safety Rule
violations. This Board finds that there was sufficient evidence with respect
to a violation of Rule 12. In the whole of the case, the record shows
sufficient substantial evidence of probative value to warrant Carrier's
conclusion of guilt. Substantial evidence has been defined as such "relevant
evidence as a reasonable mind might accept as adequate to support a conclusion" (Consol. Ed. Co. vs Labor Board 305, U. S. 197, 229).
The record before this Board substantiates that the Claimant did not
obey reasonable instructions. Such behavior in this industry is tantamont to
insubordination and often results in dismissal (Second Division Awards 10336,
10332, 1756). In considering the quantum of discipline this Board has
reviewed the Claimant's very poor work record, and cannot find the Carrier's
judgment as unwarranted or the penalty excessive. As such, this Board will
not disturb the Carrier's action in this case.
Form 1 Award No. 1059;7
Page 3 Docket No. 10365
2-SSR-FO-'85
AWARD
Claim denied.
NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD
By Order of Second Division
Attest:
>..~ ,~
Nancy J .r - Executive Secretary
Dated at Chicago, Illinois, this 9th day of October 1985.