NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD
THIRD DIVISION Docket Number
Nb1-21627
Robert M. O'Brien, Referee
(Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
PARTIES TO DISPUTE:
(New Orleans Public Belt Railroad
I
STATENDIUT OF
CLAIM: Claim of the System Committee of the Brotherhood
that:
(1) The dismissal of Track Laborer G. J. Row for alleged
'insubordination' was capricious, arbitrary, without, just and sufficient
cause, on the basis of unproven charges and in violation of the Agreement
(Carrier's File
013.7). r
__
(2)
Track Laborer G. J. Row be reinstated with seniority, 'I
vacation and all other rights unimpaired and he be compensated for all
wage loss suffered.
OPM16N OF BOARD: Effective August
6, 1975
the Claimant was dismissed
Pfom Carrier's service as a result of his insubordination toward Section Foreman W. J. Pourcisu
6, 1975.
Facts
developed at the hearing held on September
3, 1975
evidence that on
August
6, 1975,
Claimant was working as a Track Laborer in a labor gang
under the supervision of Foreman Pourcisu. They were engaged in repairing
wide gauge in the mill track. While so engaged, Claimant used abusive
language toward his supervisor, Section Foreman Pourcisu, and also
threatened "to whip him". The foregoing state of the record is uncontroverted. Claimant conceded tha
Pourcisu and had indeed threatened him.
It is manifestly clear in this industry that a Carrier need not
condone insubordination by an employe toward his supervisor. In the case
before us when the Claimant used abusive language toward Section Foreman
Pourciau and threatened to whip him, he was obviously guilty of insubordination. And, under normal c
eleven months service with the Carrier when the insubordination occurred
his dismissal from service would not be considered arbitrary, capricious
or unreasonable.
However, this Board finds from the record before us that Section
Foreman Pourcisu had initially used abusive language toward the Claimant,
which language had provoked Claimant's use of threatening and abusive
language toward,Pourcisu. And although such language may be well accepted
is a labor gang such as the one involved herein, this in no way diminishes
the effect Pourciau's language had on the Claimant. Claimant was obviously
upset by his Foreman's language and thus retorted in kind. Eased on the
Award Number 21390
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Docket Number w-21627
foregoing state of events, this Hoard feels co-pelled to conclude that
Claimant's dismissal was not warranted. lie certainly should have been
disciplined for his insubordination but due to the mitigating circumstances
present in the instant case, his dismissal was clearly excessive. His
time out of service since August 6, 1975 must be considered a proper
suspension for his act of insubordination. Accordingly, Claimant is
ordered reinstated with his seniority and other rights unimpaired, but
without compensation for wages lost.
FINDINGS: The Third Division of the Adjustment Hoard, upon the whole
record and all the evidence, finds and holds:
That the parties waived oral hearing;
That the Carrier and the Employes involved in this dispute
are respectively Carrier and Employes within the meaning of the Railway
Labor Act, as approved June 21,
1934;
That this Division of the Adjustment Hoard has jurisdiction
over the dispute involved herein; and
That the Agreement was violated.
A W A R D
Claim sustained to .the extent indicated in the Opinion of the
Hoard.
NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT HOARD
By Order of Third Division
ATTEST:
Executive Secretary
Dated at Chicago, Illinois, this 28th day of January 1977.
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