Form 1 NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT BOARD Award No. 29422
THIRD DIVISION Docket No. MW-29403
92-3-90-3-335
The Third Division consisted of the regular members and in
addition Referee Thomas J. DiLauro when award was rendered.
(Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
PARTIES TO DISPUTE:
iThe Denver and Rio Grande Western Railroad Company
STATEMENT OF CLAIM: "Claim of the System Committee of the Brotherhood that:
(1) The dismissal of Mr. T. Medina for his
'...
alleged ;zcond
failure to pass the drug screen test due to the presence of cannabinoids
(marijuana) in -our system on March L4, 1989 ***' was without just ind
sutficient cause, arbitrary, on the basis of unproven charges and in violation
of the Agreement ,System File D-89-11/MW-14-89).
(2) .1s j consequence of the violation referred to in Part (1) hereof, the Claimant snall be rei
shall be paid for all wage loss suffered and he shall be allowed the benefits
prescribed in the Agreement."
FINDINGS:
The Third 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 respez:ively 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.
Prior to his dismissal, the Claimant established seniority as a
section laborer with 12 years of unblemished service for the Carrier. He had
been furloughed since May 1987 when this dispute arose.
On May :_, 1987, the Claimant was recalled to service, and he submitted to a return to work phys
Claimant was notified he tested positive for cannabinoids. However, a more
senior employee returned to service, so the Claimant returned to furlough
status. The Carrier directed the Claimant to contact the Employee Assistance
Program, and the :1aimant participated in the Program.
Form 1 Award No. 29422
Page 2 Docket No. MW-29403
92-3-90-3-335
The Claimant was recalled on March 14, 1989, and he again submitted
to a return to work physical including a urine drug screft. Under letter
dated March 27, 1989, the Carrier notified the Claimant teat he tested positive for cannabinoids. Th
which tested negative for cannabinoids. Under date of April 14, 1989, the
Claimant was notified
...in connection with your alleged second failure
to pass the drug screen test due to the presence of
cannabtnoids (marijuana) in your system on March 14,
1989, tAken as part of your return to work physical
after being recalled to service as Section Laborer at
Laveta, Colorado, effective April 14, 1989, you are
dismissed from t'^.e service of The Denver and Rio
~,rande Western Railroad Company for your responsibllitv in connect_on therewith. The first failure
was as (sic) result of return to work physical taken
on yav 11, L987, when recalled to service as Section
Laborer at Alamosa, Colorado."
The OrI~anizatton contends the Carrier's imposition of the discipline
in connection with medical testing was in violation of the Agreement because
the Claimant was in a furloughed status, and, therefore, not subject to the
Carrier's Rules. The Carrier notes this argument is inconsistent with the
holding of the Board. (Third Division Awards 11796, =6203, 25892, 24782,
23410, and 23284).
The Organization alleges the Carrier failed to support the test
result documents with critical corroborative testimony or evidence. The
Carrier responded that alcohol and drug screens are part of every company
physical examination, and the Carrier uses a certified facility. The Carrier
noted the time elapsed between the two drug tests in 1989 explain the different results.
The Organization maintains the Claimant was unaware that positive
drug test results would be treated as discipline. The Carrier responded that
the Claimant was not charged with the failure in 1987 but he was apprised of
that fact through his referral to EAP at that time.
In our review of the record in this case, we find no substanttal
basis to overturn the Carrier's disposition. There is no real dispute that
the laboratory report was the result of the Claimant's drug screen taken on
March 17, 1989.
Form 1 Award No. 29422
?age 3 Docket No. MW-29403
92-3-90-3-335
this matter no evidence was produced by the Organization that
would give substance to their conjectures. Therefore, there is no basis for
this Board to reverse the Carrier's determination of guilt. Further, discipline as the result of a r
industry or on this railroad. See Third Division Awards 27004, 27937.
'.d A R D
;laim denied.
NATIONAL RAILROAD ADJUSTMENT WARD
By Order of Third Division
Attest:
;~
Nancy
~~
- Czecutive Secretary
Dated at Chicago, :Liinois,
:his
21st day of October 1992.