(1) The Agreement was violated when the Carrier improperly withheld Messrs. C. Wilkerson, J. Miles, P. H. Schielder, R. Parnell, D. J. Sims and C. B. Washington from performing service during their regularly scheduled workdays on March 28, April 21, 22 and May 10, 1994 (System File MW-94-1-NOPB).

Claimants shall each be compensated at their respective rates of pay

for all hours they were improperly withheld from service on the

days in question and each shall be allowed four (4) days' credit for

vacation qualification purposes."

The Claimants are Bridge Painters who, on the dates at issue, were assigned to the Huey P. Long Bridge, which spans the Mississippi River in the New Orleans metropolitan area. During handling on the property, the Carrier advised that on March 28 and April 21 it rained and the bridge was so wet that no bridge employees performed maintenance duties on the bridge. The Carrier further advised that on April 22 and May 10 the bridge was too wet to work on at the 7:00 A.M. start of the shift and, in keeping with traditional practice, the Claimants were advised to check back later to see if conditions had improved. On May 10 none of the Claimants checked back. On April 22 one Claimant checked back and the bridge conditions had improved to the point where work could commence, but for safety reasons the Carrier did not permit a single employee to work alone.

Rule 19 provides in relevant part, "When . . . due to inclement weather, interruptions occur to regular established work period preventing eight (8) hours work, only actual hours worked or held on duty will be paid for ...." During handling on the property, the Organization offered no evidence to contradict the Carrier's position that on the days in question the bridge was too wet to begin work safely. Accordingly, based on the record developed on the property and Rule 19, the claim must be denied.