PUBLIC LAW BOARD NO. 1582
PARTIES) THE ATCHISON, TOPEKA & SANTA FE RAILWAY COMPANY
TO )
DISPUTE) BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF WAY EMPLOYEES
STATEMENT OF CLAIM:
1. That the Carrier's decision to assess Claimant M. D. Galvez
twenty (20) demerits after investigation March 30, 1990 was unjust.
2.
That the %arsiex unw expunge twenty (20) demerits from Claim
ant's record, reimbursing him for all wage loss and expenses in
curred as a result of attending the investigation March 30, 1990,
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 the claimant was notified to attend an investigation at Somerville, Texas on March 30, 1990 to determine his
responsibility, if any, in connection with possible violation of
Rules A, I, L, 1007, 1600 and 1612, Safety and General Rules for
All Employees, Form 2629 Standard.
As a result of the investigation the claimant was found guilty of
violating the rules and was assessed 20 demerits and disqualified
as a truck driver.
The Roard has exami..oed the transcri_nt of record and the exhibits
submitted by the parties.
Foreman D. L. Mott testified the claimant worked under his jurisdiction and had done so since February 20, 1990 and was assigned
as a truck driver. Foreman Mott testified that the claimant drove
too close to the center stripe too often and would then jerk the
steering wheel to get back in the right lane.
Foreman Mott stated the claimant made him and his fellow employees
nervous with his driving. He testified that Foreman Watson left a
message that the claimant's driving also made him nervous. fie
further testified he checked with some of the men on the Northern
Division, and they advised that most of the time the claimant was
not allowed to drive and was replaced by another truck driver.
Award No. 488
Page 2
Foreman Mott also testified he talked to Mr. Johnson who stated
the claimant's driving made him nervous, and he did most of the
driving during the five weeks the claimant was on that section.
Mr. Mott testified that on February 23 his men on th6 Somerville
Section complained they did not feel safe with the claimant
driving the truck, so he started driving the truck himself.
Foreman Mott also testified he reported this matter to Roadmaster
Wagner and advised the Roadmaster that the claimant was disqualified as a truck driver on his territory. Roadmaster Wagner later
advised Foreman Mott to let the claimant drive, and that he should
document his driving.
Foreman Mott testified he tbeiz informed Roadmaster Wagner that as
a foreman, he was responsible for the safety and wellbeing of his
men, and he did not feel safe with the claimant driving; further
he advised that he would be driving the truck in the place of the
claimant.
Foreman Mott testified that on March 5 he allowed the claimant to
drive the truck while highrailing to pull ties up an incline instead of the tie gang, and on three occas.ions the claimant forgot
to pull the brake button on the dash which. resulted in the truck
rolling back down the hill toward Mr. Barlow and himself.
Foreman Mott also testified that on March 7 he had been instructed
by Roadmaster Wagner to allow the claimant to drive the Company
truck and to document his driving. He stated that at 7:15 a.m. the
claimant was driving on the yellow line; again at 7:22 a.m. he was
driving too close to the center line; at 7:30 a.m. the claimant
leaned over to look for the flasher button, and while so doing, the
truck went across the double yellow line into the other lane.
Foreman Mott testified that while the last incident was happening,
and the matter was brought to the claimant's attention, the claimant jerked the truck back across the yellow line, as well as across
the proper lane and into the shoulder 'Lane. He testified this
allowed a Central Freight Truck to get by.
Foreman Mott stated that at 7:51 a.m. the claimant was corrected
again for driving too close to the yellow line. He testified that
at 8:30 a.m. the claimant was instructed to put the truck on the
track for highrailing on the Milano Siding, and the claimant was
unable to do so. He stated that at 1:30 p.m. the claimant drove
the rear wheels of the truck through a dtich because he cut too
short to go around a curve.
Trackman R. M. Watson testified he did not feel safe with the
claimant driving a truck because he strayed over the yellow line,
ran red lights and did not slow down for a turn. He testified he
had been on the job with the claimant since February 20.
( gZ
Award No. 488
Page 3
Trackman Joe Reyes testified that he refused to ride in the Company truck because the claimant was a very careless driver.
Roadmaster Wayner testified he had had complaints from several
people about the claimant's driving, and the claimant's foreman
had requested that he ride with the claimant. Mr. Wagner testified he rode with the claimant to Milano and felt the claimant
was taking chances and he had to remind him not to go across the
yellow line. He stated he talked to the other employees, and
they were all uneasy about the claimant's driving.
The claimant's testimony has been studied. The claimant testified that no one complained of
his
driving habits officially. He
testified tie did
not
crocc double yellow 1 roes
and
did not run a
red light at Somerville. He further testified that two witnesses
were lying. He also denied that the five witnesses who testified
had ever told him his driving was unsafe.
After reviewing all the testimony, the Board finds there is no
justification to set the discipline aside.
AWARD: Claim denied.
Preston . Moore, Chairman
5
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1
4-19
Union ember
Carrier Member