PARTIES) Transportation-Communication Employees Union
 TO ) and
 DISPUTE:) Fort Worth and Denver Railway Company
 QUESTION Is the Carrier permitted to abolish a position, or more
 AT ISSUE: than one position, prior to the time it has a corres
 ponding attrition credit, or credits, as contemplated
 by Article I, Section 57
 OPINION The evidence does not establish that the abolishment of
 OF BOARD: the three involved positions at Fort Worth, Texas,
 resulted in the Carrier exceeding the 6% formula set out
 in Section 5 of Article I of the February 7, 1965 Agreement. The reduc
 tion in the work forces of protected employees, which is permitted by
 said Section 5 of Article I, is not limited to the number of attrition
 credits held by the Carrier, as the term "attrition credits" is used by
 the Organization. It is the intent of said Section 5 of Article I to
 maintain a work force of protected employees and not positions.

            The answer to the question submitted is in the affirmative.


                  REFEREES:


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Washington, D. C. - December 19, 1967