AWARD NO. 401
Case No. 435
PUBLIC LAW BOARD NO. 1582
PARTIES) ATCHISON, TOPEKA AND SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY
TO )
DISPUTE) BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF WAY EMPLOYEES
STATEMENT OF CLAIM:
1. That the Carrier's decision to assess Claimtna G. A. Martinez
thirty (30) demerits after investigation October 12, 1987 was
unjust.
2. That the Carrier now expunge thirty (30) demerits from the
Claimant's record, reimbursing him for all wage loss and expenses
incurred as a result of attending the investigation October 12,
1987 because a review of the investigation transcript reveals that
substantial evidence was not introduced that indicates Claimant is
guilty of violation of rules he was charged with in the Notice of
Investigation.
FINDINGS: This Public Law Board No. 1582 finds that the parties
herein are-Carrier and Employee within the meaning of the Railway
Labor Act, as amended, and that this Board has jurisdiction.
In this dispute there were two notices of investigation. One was
dated September 30, 1987 advising the claimant that an investigation would be held on Octobrr 12, 1987 concerning his allegedly
being absent without proper authority on September 23, 1987. On
October 12, 1987 the claimant signed a demerit waiver and accepted
the twenty-five demerits for that violation.
The second notice of investigation was dated September 25, 1987
and advised the claimant to attend an investigation one hour
earlier on October 12, 1987 concerning an alleged violation of
riding on the Ballast Regulator and allegedly reading a magazine
in possible violation of Rules 16 and 17, General Rules for the
Guidance of Employees, Form 2626 Std.
There is no dispute in facts in this case. The claimant agreed
that he was reading a magazine while on duty and assigned to
assist the operator on a Ballast Regulator.
The claimant's record stands at fifty-five demerits, and the
claimant recognized that the accumulation of sixty demerits
subjects him to dismissal.
Under the circumstqnces herein the Board finds there is no justification to set the discipline aside.
15BIL
- Award No. 401
Page 2
AWARD:
Claim denied.
Preston J. ,hfoore, Chairman -
Union Union Member
~1/'rtyE~.CL ~~ ~ ! !~
Carrier Member