Form 1 NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD
SECOND DIVISION
Award No. 13366
Docket No. 13300
99-2-97-2-73

The Second Division consisted of the regular members and in addition Referee Robert L. Hicks when award was rendered.


( Transportation Communications International Union PARTIES TO DISPUTE:


STATEMENT OF CLAIM:













FINDINGS:

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

The carrier or carriers and the employee or employees involved in this dispute are respectively carrier and employee 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.
Form 1 Award No. 13366
Page 2 Docket No. 13300
99-2-97-2-73



Claimant contends that the reasons for the temporary emergency closing of the grit room as set forth in his Supervisor's letter of June 20, 1996, and as set forth in the claim handling process by the Carrier, that said letters are formal reprimands levied Claimant without his right to a fair and impartial Investigation.


The Carrier does not agree that the letters referred to by the Claimant as being formal reprimands are, in fact, formal reprimands levied without the right of an Investigation.


The Board agrees the Carrier's choice of words are harsh, but finds no indication that such letters were entered into his file and/or placed in his work record. True, these letters will, understandably, remain in a claim file, but they cannot be used in the discipline process. If the letters, either letter, is in Claimant's file, it is to be removed therefrom. Most assuredly, this Board does not condone the use thereof in any other disciplinary action that has occurred or may occur. They are beyond letters of caution.




      Claim sustained in accordance with the Findings.


                        ORDER


This Board, after consideration of the dispute identified above, hereby orders that an award favorable to the Claimant(s) be made. The Carrier is ordered to make the Award effective on or before 30 days following the postmark date the Award is transmitted to the parties.


                        NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD By Order of Second Division


                        Dated at Chicago, Illinois, this 23rd day of February 1999.