PARTIES) ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY
 TO )
 DISPUTE) BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF WAY EMPLOYEES

 STATEMENT OF CLAIM: Claim in behalf of former B&B Painter T. F.
 Montano, Albuquerque Division, for reinstatement with seniority,
 vacation and all other rights unimpaired and compensation for wage
 loss beginning June 19, 1974.

 FINDINGS: This Public Law Board No. 1582 finds that the parties
 erein are Carrier and Employee within the meaning of the Railway Labor Act, as amended, and that this Board has jurisdiction.

 In this dispute the claimant was discharged for being absent without authority. Evidence of record indicates the claimant was guilty as charged. The claimant had been an employee for 15 months. He had previously been discharged for the same reason, and at the time of this charge had already accrued 50 demerits. Under the circumstances there is no basis to overrule the decision of the Carrier.

 AWARD: Claim denied.

                              Organization Member


                              Carri Member