The Claimantwas at all material times herein a Trackman assigned to the Cuba gang at Cuba, Missouri, which used three trucks. However, five Trackman Drivers were assigned to the gang with the three most senior assigned to drive the trucks and the other two assigned to perform Trackman duties. As a result of a force reduction, the Claimant displaced to another gang at St. Louis, Missouri. The Organization contends that by virtue of the Claimant's seniority as a Trackman the Carrier could not assign Trackman Drivers to perform the work that he would have otherwise performed and cites various Awards in support of its claim. In addition, it argues that this instance is but one example of a systematic effort on the Carrier's part to abolish Trackman positions. The Carrier on the other hand argues that nothing in Rule 18 prevents the Carrier from making the work assignment that it made and that the Claimant was bumped by a senior Trackman. Thus, the Claimant's circumstances were nothing more than the proper operation of relative seniority.
We too find nothing in Rule 18 that prevents the Carrier from making the assignment of Trackman work to Trackman Drivers and note moreover that the record shows that on this property it is customary that Trackman Drivers have dual duties that also involve Trackman work. Similarly, the Awards cited by the Organization are distinguishable in that they involve the assignment of work from positions that had been abolished, a fact that did not occur in the instant dispute. Finally, there is no record evidence to support the Organization's claim that the Carrier is systematically abolishing Trackman positions.
This Board, after consideration of the dispute identified above, hereby orders that an Award favorable to the Claimant(s) not be made.