Case No. 4C)2 - Award :No 402 - Sinclair
Carrier File No. I 4-l ft--0 l 94
Organization File Nca. 1 ~0-l 3D3- I 04.t_' _ .%J
Public Law Board No iR50, upon the .Nhole record anti as? tlhe eN°iclc:nce, tirtd-~ thw tire panws herein ,trtr Carrier and Fniployec~. within the mc;insng W the FZ.iikv;3; i Libor Act, as ~1Tnend". t1t:#t Me Bnmtt haS I31r;Sulc tMI 0%'t'I :lie <a;,tltt hCrCizl. -iS2d 07.51, the parties to I,`2C dispute were gift n due wax (`5: Me ho?rmg am! Od pamapate Owma3
CWnolt. Ronnie i Slncla;r, was, according to his persmul mcor& htrcci h; m,: Carrwr _n 1973 Ctn &1 8. MT the C'amer r;sueti Clannant ;, lecor notify crag bun of hu, 1sqtmhiicatmn Kim it:s l rack Supervisor postuon. ;1,w :t hall been --;etcrrruncci that he £h,? not po,scSS 11,31,; abihtt' TriL5s :It?1,j gi:«lls ec) ha32L:< thC ~;:F:,I;it)El ;I d§ S,ttC and >:t, i~,:?i manner lho Wumw6cr nm!t&d Urnna;rru that Q could requ;:m .i f0rna=1l M-s::ts_~;Ett~S=} ·_
1,~cptcrnrlcr :.. -1!i1. E)n Sc:,tc,bcr t?, 20itt We C cirrtt:r Bared ( Iaicll;tnt a Wnr wEa£:h rro*idcd. 1n rC'aemnt purl
She:rri FUN. Roalrtaster at the Qrrier's Bclc:n. New Ntexieo Achy, tcstrt:cd that £-Earrnara "-a:. her direct report at tile tune at issue, She stated that site decided to §isoahti slim based on a der&hncnt can June: 19. aIO at tflc E3clsat. Nmv Nkxico v;ircl, and ACtclrs leading rip fic, that event, Including ar:cltflr:r derailment on :~cptcnibcr 2,2, 1)(1) in ~Iiruhfucrqti£ \.1s f=itrs testified that t`laicnria mt; the ,cinot -ir~ick 51ir~crls,<rr Aith tile most seniority and c"xpr'rrcr7Ce= for do t£rraa)ries at iNsue it raw it:res w then: .f t'T-,lt ( ITiCF3 tw
~ clc:ra:frzteilt. 41~i~ir mdwatc:d that the reason lot tile incident eras %tde gaga. wah dr°1com Wor nvisyn=J ,pike, otfler Wwncrw (he record also includes ssx paowpays r.a drat rilci£fcnt NI, F;iis cicscrthcd tire ph~twgtraphs. "hrch s)1«me,i tile ann,hti£>rl of the track. inc:fuding :ho nn.syng and (cited spokes. wall bn)kcn gauge ban,
!'he record also includes tile FRA LT'ciln acadcrlt report for tire fwic 2W t. xkt-atftllent- "_r'ch na°ac~ 4fio:v-, the primary cause as Lvidc gage, `,Y3th defective _ind nr nn%mny spfkey£7ther AntenerS Die word hlrther includes inspe{cticm WPM, Ila the IaC.l ;2_ issue in die instant derailment, Clack to WC 2. 1MY C lai?mint f;rE.t tmpected thar ,r.i~k cart No1L°_P7he"r W. 003
Pic record akc includes ;art c-n rail t"corn an FRA itlspc:r:tce to NIS L11" and diw t-`cirrccr's Wtscon kintinecr. dated March tt. 2010 Fhe-t~ttl!( describes tile E R:A's revicw°, on Vfarch 8, :'0ii). A inmocutiun record,, fore December 2009 tar IAniar% a0'st'. and states Hut tire FRA inspector has "seen-tc concerns - ire rslmant part, the refwrt provides-
An<ither e-nut; tiom the 14WA inspector. dated March 10. 2014 recounted that he had fierformed all inspection in Bclert .arid there were 8 dclecti.e rit!s ~.itl~ no rerwW-&ai action, lour ;,f ~,vltich would be recommended as violations, and tour as defects. it-, another c:-mats' dated March 12, 20li?, the FiaspCc:tor pro-,sided t:Vta mare reports. 0trC showing thme additional detail fractures with incorrect remedml action, the deiec; reports were also included in the record. Ms. His testified brat site was aware that the FRA coached and counseled Clairrartt conce;rrmg the detects noted it; the reports.
Tsas. ENO dechred to answer the (jrgankation rcpwsencatil-c"s ctucsttrzns as t~; "frethcr she performed monthly inspectitsns with Claintctr.: Ovt r his terrttofv, When Wd "hether :: "ors L !atmant'a responstbllity- it) rcntuve dirt off the ties, site responded ;asst he was required try perf«rrn tt complete investtgation. :she stated that Be could no! rec<rll ohether CIamant had ever recrucstcd suttch cleaners at AlFttquerquc tc (:lean tlrc N"aches so that lie could perform a proper inspection, hu; at f3eicir lie did ha\,-- thc %'.?ctiirn truck to ti? clean nT I'ebrtstrv -10ltl. prior to the ltelen draftnlent
Gary Gornet, Roadrnaster at the Carrier's Refen, Nest lVtextco facility, testi!>cd at t(te investigation that tie was inn duty the weekend trf~.lune i t) and -i), 20 (0, at the ltlnee f ,t
die Beim Yard derailment He went to the site and inspecec.t tire deradmetit. detentaricrct. LIW came of be 1rYCWent.
No. (icrmef described pltmopaphs, which were entered inu) evidence at the `;eitrrniz. which shu%verl that at the point of the derailment there ,sere no .spines, cu rail tllsrenrrs, on die instdn garige Yde cat the rai(49r tiorriez eared Ut there. wme spite s whown in the pictures, tint none mere holding the base of the rad WVtr, and the ciWest Or=.r Was half ,in inch (coin the base. We photo, he explained, showed spikes iti the ties lout it'll i>! them were htsrh.
1fr G0nZaleZ' hated drat these Conditions would "absolute?v' he rceittif.tf~lY under track inspection Ife added that there were obvious signs that all of Qu spkes had bees: snit !or some tani;e, as they were rusted arid several had spike heads uneler tire aril "huh had mwked L<trnpleLCQotC, ,3n Avrous sign that Were =rt" no inside gp§n t' tlrstcncrs lit also wstAitd War ale derailment site depicted in the rhotograph`- had fna been chew-red prior to the urns the photoflniphs were taken.
t_`annant testified tit the inv-cstiig<ition r5t rte had been a sack Sup==sor bit over V years f ir' stated Mat his dutress in digit position were do rnalrilain :nvpt'cnon tetaOrds of the :racks in his territory, pertnrnn minor red_airs and sirrniar tasks i f C etpi;hned tNlt rt %.as rinportant for !rim try rcl)tirt track- defects stj the tracks .~tould he protected any it rvculd he ~a#e t"«r the reins to run over th,-rn "ittiout the pcr.5vhiiti of Wailment. Claimant added Won tie had I"ass passed audits at _i high level. -had roc %-,r Wiled any safety tests or classes, and hire! been asi~7ted to %:rrious Roacfnnv,ti:cr Ill Awl ;crritones "idiout incident
clair:iant aekito"Odged that there livid been t=%vo derarlinerus, which were ,cterriiined :c= tic: track-caused, «n his territories. He ISO at=kri0t.iedt;eu that it was his re.spvnsthiluv to report acrd prevent de#ectn wtrch as file c}net, °,vin'h F%vere in f=hlis,hteci sir die invesuL;iitirin4 ()( %se inwldicritS
tidtii'3nt contended. htw.ever, that tilt' track conditions had :.car bee pitrtCCte:f :c: these incidents because Wh ioc.artiris were covered with dh-t and he ,vas iinabic to perform nropci= inspecnon& fie added that he `read request,-d that tilt: ,-sitit-e surtat:ing gang come to tire Aibuciuei-rlue ymd and work the leads bemuse they were Pill of dirt and its 2xtinted to tan1p tip and hat's= them hrionl,-td out ffovever, _1e stated. his request tt)r ttlc ;:learang wrens .vas deri:el and it "as not leis responsibility to cletiii tie ties to prrhrrni the inspecnon. Under tfIC)SC LActinistances, he stated, !-its responsitmitv WAS to inspect the tracks t« Me hem of :ii; ability. Claimant -,rated that the AIhuriuwr,iuc: track tin ~r~crre~s
~, -, lift dirt, and lie was aware that dterc had been a Jerarlnient can that track prior tit that AMC. so he watched a.; best as he could, took his tneasurernents 'tnd never found arty deft cts.
Nttlt r·. spec; ;cx ttte Relcn %ard crre=,ft<nt. t_'i,untant -,xpKwed tltctt cIcanty hoof mt~en schetftded a: the time of the tferatlrnent lie ~.;ated that the Lis, ~?:tr~,~ ht: did prn>r to this d15 auahfICmt« n maw io rot) a Nacittlni iruck ;o ;ican tile ue~:Irlw ,ttld dir' iita of ihc ~-"V3cllcs, St>l12Cilnic dkt!int= tflc last °.4401( of AtnC"wound the i ` to tilt" i RV but 6?e ntwC Knt performed In., Mspcc:ion prior to the track helnL \acumied bc,aiwc t1 had bCCn 0 ';ic rime fir[ me Bralfrilant, fly" stated that the' Lrack not h:ving hecn .aciittvled a; tilt un2C i>i his tnspectirrn ntu;t Ll~ e been tile reason lie did not find set Many rinsstng <<pikes I It; aatcd (flat Errs, Rcxadrnaster had not performed ;?n~ tnspec;t(rn; "it ;:lit; brnd he stated Sri, %1,. lalK Itad never expressed any utssatisfac*tton «lth iris pertcrta°.tztcc prior to the
Unntant explained thtrt an "inspection ca the best rrt hr, ability" rrrcant tlr;rt f>c "Old urhe ftk nlcasurcrrtcrtts and, It lit. could not set; Funds:rneaM :hc tits( hilt hr, ',(atiC qatttt e ";ti; 5 T : it was still %wattn FRA reqt>ttre rents and nor a dcfc.::. ile .,,tated that it ltc ,:otdd not prod eri~ rnsp,Ct neca£;~,C of me dirt. ht' c:mdd oKy an>th97C his r17ws(trwncnv; "ere "tthtn tire: profret wpeetficationa Fie explained dim if he did not disco%cr artv exceptions to tit(: Measurements, fit: hail nit reason it) believe there ware K&Ur= °sndc:rtrcath (Ile dtrt
tAmrrt<rnt tnatntanrcd that ht performed iris recfuirwd rnonttf;= inspections to :^c nest of II r 'thitrty under ,,he con%frttons present for t:ts Inspection. L !z.nnint ,kno"Idtted that he Ed rcyrcued drat be tr'aas r;. ciemnsd htause he had cmreera" aba)nt hang i~i.ible to see thmut'_h the Curt, and expi<urxed mat if the `.tacks mcrC -brt>onitci ow- fat: "oAd hme a boor c5ncc ofperfornllm'? proper inspcy:°;tor
t. larttrant a(fmrtmcf that rf hr had a concern %~tth the dirt on ;h c tracks, and fa4. concern tkas not addresSCd, the appriprtan' C~,Cat.atzrn for flit= ~,1tujt_icgET )~S'ollfd [1C tct ;,Ihc the track out t1! scrN ice
Ommmt's pcr=~iai record shows. ti UNA °5 30-day "ancr with zr 12 nawlt prof period on \,ovanber .*. 2005, for fatlurc ill -Stop short of rt red Ila and rrk:;:%c permission fr(crrr the crnplovec in charge ref Lt Form 11 to proceed throt:~h his ltmr~ l f,c acnrd rtlw« Aw"N three odrer LhMrf*nary rncttiertts in Me I 9Wi
I he t`.aarrer 6vt states !hm tire ( ayanfra;iort tsatprsrpert=, att~rrtptk: to r»i;cit tits i3Urtct1 Chi proof !n tit-s ri-rnev its this was nw 3 discipline case '3o ?fic Organization Illul,t Jcrnonttrate that Claimzutt possesses the qualifications to be a track supenlsor, I`orrhcr, tilt; Carrier dtsptnes tire Orgarrztrtron~ conception that it (lid not pro% tde f,'lairtiant cr fair and irnpartiasn;estrt_ation
The t rz-rwr nottts OWL t 1aitnMtt", CX"se for alert fndtnn-, problarts durtnva ill, .r;sf=catacrn %%as dirt or tire track ncr: haling been vacumnet3 lie t'xrrrwr ztatm :... a Inoa < f'; 4% f_ do ','W.' ,.
I aiW earner concludes that We Organs/att« re`s -ontention titti" .. tlripiacat 1aLC Wanon is incessary to support this disquafificition ii inaCCtncoc It sta:tcs thta the .f:~cjuahfication was not excessive car inappropriate in Lgnt of t'?ainitin! :· (ailurc to Vcrtonn Isis Owes taropcrl,, and ieclutsts that !he Mint be dented
I he Orpanizaton raise: I°rtTCCLItirai and s :hsttuin%e chaIfcru:es it-°he Ctirricr', _:c tir=t~ a<arti:~t t-'laimant First, the OrLanizat;otn assert that .lie 1-It=a-#n W"I Ahmed ii-reWant evidence to he entered iaito the retard, refused to Mm the Droanir'O9iTn representatlte tea 3.Sk I'ertirlent ~JtieS;tranS. aCCeded to the relhisal of Cann answer questions. arid c;onrused the record h~ entering rnassi%e et;i!~:;;
',-stunont contacrnint? track ineasurernerlts is based on infbrination c)ntained t1/lr'f the ~er:iihnent It i,~ conninon hnee%ledw" be f)rparnz;rncxT Mates, that a deriiiinicnt inav dmmli or Many sallAe sC4tiom W track, so post-caeradinenL 1nCUStirTinews :'huifitl not he held aawn>t CIahntuti. 3Qutlicr, the Organization notes, [lie ICcttr;iit t>iti~;:r;)crnuttt:d RoaWaGer I'3lis tea pr"ent evidence IJt' a tferadn?ent ~xhich uecurit:d at 2009 4ind t~rr
'sk II-11 ,.. It)CO Li> .tlC~ SilCident a: 7s<un the ttrganiztition steins, '"nmon; irldwaci Am: the 'mcukss wrcot:auC.t in AM :mCf NN Nr:; COWC&d .`2<n i...a L0iidt'10t: %;otaJ :Ilakc'3%ftC traLk it35pect10Ei ctifti~!tit f'fi ()ri'.r~T?~'.i'.?ta':C`irit~ ac`i' Llal Mk 1'=:. 'it>e Coriced:~d that t.1e nic.dcnt 11 'LT-i not entirafy Clairnwlt's :"$1d-`.`.. .. . ;fieri: L~,C~ ii(=t,t':tiK= issuca prior :~> his taking the t"erritorN over.
%toteowr. *f;e Organization notes. Its f:leis refused to 'nis%ver qLwStions Is to wither it was her resporisihilityj to perform rnoiithiy inspection,-, y~ita t°larntant. =>i:u"x~#tt
!:ha' she atteutt>tej t« Conceal free own failings and attempted t« mitt responsihiin `it t I< ir:~ant.
Me CAtgarnzation stresw.,; drat Cannattt made multiple requests to have the %md kv;c:.uicd to help hurt inspect properly, but his requests %',ere 4'Wnicd lie alm tf°c Organization notes, requested <! auificnig gang io brown untAhc xtwcwd areas. Ahmms
We hMV C1rCKV NO"& the record in its enttretv '1c thct outset. err hvllc «; c;i; hndmtw% a1 rm merits. ESC find 3! unneL;nsar1' `() rule ='3:1 the pit>Cedurrll :ssuc A~ Et· whetrer the f1trmr's dkoiahtav.ltton _,t tv'mmant crrastrtute:t :. Jr',~;ltiin~rrl rrCEt0rl. "U'::i Sea tile i`arrier hits Me budcn of proving his guilt h; nubmantm! et. ;iencr, rtr "hL-E(wr We h?trdm is on the tIrgammon to whmv that (Amn31a posse"m O< ne"k5;p' '4;111 and abday tti per:_rrin E1 F5 12 1-Sther Milt'. the retrC!rd an1Ny supprrtrt~ the r..trr(ei S ContenE<c'? clon CAwnlanl. dupzte his senimity, hwked the necessat-3 skills anti abiliq to prcrperh per: urnl !;is tob and that tIt,~qualiticat_tm ~sti~ no( :In esces~,sve or Hiapprc>priate ,ccta=si under the circ!:rn,;cance~.
111 tlri-`.ira(aQ- cam <ichnts`acm Smri the NiN9quercii?C ,it?t( twitSIi deradila<'titS Wa.rrcd oa nccckh for scKch he was respnnstNcr ( Ire f R.A repm :or the incident t. m, "e(1 :;s plonr,-iiaph> of tile dcvuhrrent scene. Um defecuce and tnis~;mg ,,pikk, Utti hrllm k:<rL?t;; Us. At the BC1Cu Yard, the FR.A tn~,pecmr rt=ito[';cd ~r16dou1 ::fC~C:.E1 ,t)n:ertung ( L tanlant'> pcrharnlrulctJ, MILE qtteStt0tlCd i%hether It V~AS e\Ln pcrssibIc :or t ImtlLu.t ;(' im a ;mpectci the tmckS :1s he t. himcd C latirr?m?E thd na dNpine k1,5 I L,
e v-n after tine derailment, lie failed to do so tVhen stipposedlz laced vsrth identical poor cO=tiaittcms on an other track. He is responsi!ile for the deratlmcrrt.
In siimniary. the record shop-s that Claimant either failed to perf'cirni his assigned Inspections aryl: sir periurmcd them in a casual, cursory ;ranricr, without taking ,ill available steps to ensure that the track .vas in sate condition. ;1i`tcr one; derailment should have alerted hire to the danger ut continuing as lie had, lit: apparently vent can ni exattlE the same way, leading to another derailment. Despite leis lengtlivy service, the record dernonstr; tes, as the Carrier alleges, that C'lairnarit did not demonstrate the Skill rcquarel Cor lii· posmcin l !e ~.:i therefore properly disqualified.