- - Award No. 12
Case No. 12
Public Law Board No. 2203
PARTIES Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
TO
DISPUTE: and
Consolidated Rail Corporation
STATEMENT 1. Carrier violated Rules 5-A-1 and 5-E-1 when
OF
CLAIM: it dismissed Trackman Gary D. Clifford.
2. Claimant's record be cleared and he be re
stored to service with all rights unimpaired and paid
for time lost.
FINDINGS: On July 17, 1974, claimant answered "No" to the fol
lowing question on the Pre-Employment Medical Examina
tion Form:
"Have you ever had or do you now have
back trouble, lumbago or sciatica?"
He signed the form
which included
a certification that
his answers were truthful and that "False information may be suffi-
cient cause for dismissal." -
' 2 _
.' :~2 x.03- I-~w0~L ..
' Claimant began to work for Carrier on July 17, 1974.
He continued in its employ until September 20, 1977, when he was
dismissed for falsification of the aforementioned application.
The discipline is based on evidence that during a
physical examination on November 8, 1976, claimant informed a Dr.
Richard Rik that he had experienced back trouble after an automobile
accident in 1969 and saw a physician about it in 1972 "and his back
pain resolved."
This is some evidence of back trouble in 1972. It
would have been more candid of claimant to have mentioned it in the
Pre-employment Medical Report. However, he did clearly state in
that Report of July 17, 1974, that he had been involved in an auto
accident in 1969 which caused chest muscle difficulty. Put on
notice as to that accident, it_would have been only reasonable for
Carrier physicians to have at least looked into the possibility of
aback injury. Claimant testified that the injury sustained as a
result of the accident was to the muscles of his chest and that the
back pain was not really serious. He points out that-he passed
Army physicals when going into and out of the service in 1972 and
1974.
'. . We will not set aside Carrier's conclusion that sub-
stantial discipline is warranted. However, dismissal is excessive
disciplinary action in the light of this record. Claimant will be
3
' . . . .2203-/+W p·/1~
reinstated with seniority rights unimpaired but without back pay.
AWARD: Claimant to be reinstated promptly but without back
pay.
Adopted at Philadelphia, Pa., ~~ / 1979.
Harold M. Weston, Chairman
·_
r.
Lt
Carrier 'M=ber Employe Member