THIRD DIVISION
(Supplemental)
STATEMENT OF CLAIM: Claim of the System Committee of the Brotherhood that:
(1) The Carrier violated the effective Agreement when it improperly required Track Laborer Sam Clariday to suspend work on August 4 and 5, 1960.
EMPLOYES' STATEMENT OF FACTS: As of July 31, 1960, Track Laborer Sam Claridy was regularly assigned to the section at New Smyrna Beach, with a work week of Saturday through Wednesday, and with rest days designated as Thursdays and Fridays.
Because of force reductions which became effective at the close of work on Sunday, July 31, 1960, the Claimant, effective as of the beginning of work on Monday, August 1, 1960, exercised seniority rights to a section laborer's position at Bowden Yard which is regularly assigned to work Monday through Friday, with Saturday and Sunday as designated rest days.
The Claimant reported for work on his new assignment on the morning of the first work day of his new work week and was permitted to work that day and also on the following Tuesday and Wednesday. However, as Roadmaster Heaton stated in a letter dated August 30, 1960:
I have your letter of August 19, relative to Track Laborer Sam Claridy, who exercised his seniority on the Bowden Yard Section August 1, 1960.
As you know, this man's regular assignment of five days per week, at the time he was displaced, was Saturday through Wednesday, with rest days Thursday and Friday. According to my records
Also see Third Division Awards 8337, 8293, 8041, 7956, 6241, 6217, 6216, 6095, 6019, 6016, 5638, 5620, 5579, 5558, 5240, 5195, 5117, 4815, 3587 and 3467.
OPINION OF BOARD: This claim arises on behalf of Claimant, Sam Claridy, who was allowed to work only three days during the first week on his new position at Bowden Yard. Claimant was previously regularly assigned to a position at New Smyrna Beach. Rest days at the old position were designated as Thursdays and Fridays. After working Saturday and Sunday, July 30, and July 31, 1960 respectively at the old position at New Smyrna Beach, Claimant exercised seniority rights to a position at Bowden Yard, with rest days designated as Saturday and Sunday. Claimant commenced work at such new position on Monday, August 1, 1960, and worked Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of that week. However, Roadmaster Heaton advised him that he could only work the first three days of the week beginning August 1, 1960 because he had previously worked 2 days at his old position. Roadmaster Heaton was of the opinion that this constituted a 40 hour week and any work beyond this time would have to be compensated at time and one-half. It clearly appears from the record that this is the only reason that Claimant was not allowed to work the two days in question.
Roadmaster Heaton erred in interpreting the Agreement between these parties. Rule 18 (c) does provide for payment of time and one-half for all work in excess of 40 hours per week. However, an exception, clearly applicable to this case provides as follows:
The above exception clearly provides that Claimant would not be paid at the overtime rate if he had been allowed to work the two days in question. Therefore, this erroneous reason being the only one given for refusing to allow him to work the two days in question, the claim must be sustained.
The question was raised, rather belatedly, that there being no guaranteed 40 hour work week, the Carrier is not liable for blanking the position the two days in question. However, it is the opinion of this Board, as stated above, that the only reason for refusing to allow Claimant to work the two days in question was the Roadmasters misconception with regard to overtime pay. This being so, Carrier's right to blank the position for some other reason is not decided herein. The question of whether or not there is a guaranteed 40 hour work week is not necessary to this decision and is therefore not decided. 12908-13 914