(a) Carrier violated the Signalmen's Agreement, particularly Rule 17, when it assigned M. R. Tomlin, a temporary Signal Inspector, to perform Signal Maintainer relief work at Caldwell, Texas, at the close of his temporary assignment, beginning at 4:30 pm, June 15, 1990, instead of assigning senior gang 43 Signalman J. L. Bright. Mr. Tomlin's assignment at Caldwell ended 7:30 am, July 2, 1990.

(b) Carrier should now be required to pay Mr. Bright all regular wages and overtime paid Mr. Tomlin during the assignment outlined in (b) above. Such wages represent lost wages for Mr. Bright because of his loss of work opportunity.

(c) Carrier should reimburse Mr. Bright expenses for meals as follows: Breakfast June 19 through 22 and 26 through 29, 1990, and evening meals June 18 through 21 and 25 through 28, 1990."

Claimant argues that Carrier improperly assigned a junior employee to perform Signal Maintainer relief work during the period June 15 to July 2, 1990. Claimant contends that when assignments from a signal gang are made that Rule 17 - Detached Service applies. According to Claimant, this requires canvassing of the gang signalmen and assigning the senior willing employee. Carrier disputes Claimants position and argues, in fact, that Claimant suffered no monetary damages as a result of the assignment to another Signalman.

It is well established that the individual or side making an assertion has the burden of proof. Countless Board Awards have established this principle.

Here, Claimant has failed to meet this burden of proof. As such, we must conclude that the claim be denied.

AWARD