(Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes PARTIES TO DISPUTE:



STATEMENT OF CLAIM: "Claim of the System Committee of the Brotherhood that:

(1) The dismissal of Machine_Operator G. J. Hernandez was improper and without just and sufficient cause (System File S 214-91/.

(2) The claimant shall be reinstated as machine operator with seniority and all other rights unimpaired and he shall be compensated for all wage loss suffered."

OPINION OF BOARD: Claimant entered Carrier's service October 24, 1969.
At the time of the occurrence giving rise to the dispute herein he was assigned as machine operator with Gang No. 8723. The members of the gang were staying at the Hotel Central in Villa Grove, Illinois. On December 27, 1977, he was notified to report for formal investigation to be held on January 5, 1978:



                    Docket Number MW-22922


The investigation was conducted on January 9, 1978. The claimant was present throughout the investigation and was represented by the General Chairman of the Organization. A copy of the transcript of the investigation has been made a part of the record. A review of the transcript shows that none of claimant's substantive procedural rights was violated in the manner in which the investigation was conducted.

Without detailing all the evidence adduced at the investigation, suffice it to say that there was substantial evidence in support of all the charges. The claimant's primary response was that he "had no knowledge" of the occurrences.

Based on the record, the Board concludes that claimant was guilty of conduct that simply cannot be condoned, and the Carrier was fully justified in dismissing him from service.

        FINDINGS: The Third Division of the Adjustment Board, 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 Board has jurisdiction over the dispute involved herein; and

        That the Agreement was not violated.


                      A W A R D


        Claim denied. ,-


                            NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD

                            By Order of Third Division


        ATTEST: Executive Secretary


        Dated at Chicago, Illinois, this 22nd day of July 1980.