PUBLIC LAW BOARD NO. 1925
Award No. 3
Case No. 3
File No. MW-76-28
Parties Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees
to and
Dispute Southern Pacific Transportation Company
-Texas and Louisiana Lines
Statement 1. Carrier violated the Agreement when on February 11, 1976,
of Machine Operator C. E. Collins, Jr., was dismissed from Carrier's
Claim: service, improperly, unjustly and with charges unproven.
2. Claimant Collins shall now be reinstated in Carrier's service,
with his seniority, vacation, fringe benefits and other rights
unimpaired and paid for all time lost on this account.
Findings: The Board finds, after hearing upon the whole record and all
evidence that the parties herein are Carrier and Employee within
the meaning of the Railway Labor Act, as amended, that this Board
is duly constituted by Agreement dated March 23, 1977, that it
has jurisdiction of the parties and the subject matter, and that
the parties were given due notice of the hearing held.
Claimant, a qualified Machine Operator, was assigned to and
operating Ballast Regulator 227-R, on February 3, 1976. While
working in the vicinity of Mile Post 819.35, near El Paso, Texas,
Claimant's Machine struck a pick-up truck on the crossing at
Lafayette Street. Claimant was dismissed from service February 11,
1976, for violation of Rules M-226 and M-228. He requested and was
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granted a hearing hereon. Carrier concluded that as a result
thereof that Claimant was guilty as charged.
The Rules and Regulations for the Maintenance of Way and Structures
which were allegedly violated, in pertinent part, provide:
"M-226. When approaching Street or highway grade crossings,
operators of track cars must have their cars under control and
before proceeding must know that vehicular traffic will not be
endangered. When necessary to ensure safe passage, track cars
must be preceded by a flagman or when approaching railroad
grade crossings, operators of track cars must have their
cars under control and, before proceeding, must be assured
that the route is clear for safe passage of track car over
the crossing."
"M-228. Maximum speed governing movement of track cars follows:
(1) Five (5) miles per hour over street and road crossings..."
The record reflects that Claimant was accorded due process.
The Board finds that sufficient credible and probative evidence,
including Claimant's admissions,were adduced to support Carrier's
conclusion as to Claimant's culpability. The transcript shows
that Claimant had a clear view of the crossing, that he did not
stop at the public crossing, nor did Claimant have control of his
vehicle. He went across Lafayette crossing in excess of the
permissible speed. The Board finds no reason in the record to
change Carrier's conclusion that Claimant was guilty as charged.
A review of Claimant's service record provided no reason therein
for mitigation of the discipline imposed, To the contrary it impells
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the Board to conclude that the previous imposition of reasonable
discipline failed to cause Claimant to be more observant of his
obligations and the governing rules. In the circumstances the
_ claim will be denied.
Award: Claim denied
A. J.:G'unningham, Employee Member R. W. Hickman, Carrier Member
A~J~
If
Arthur T. Van Wart, Chairman
and Neutral Member
Issued at Falmouth, Massachusetts, September 7, 1977.