PARTIES Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
 _TO
 DISPUTE: and
 ' Louisville and Nashville Railroad Company
 STATEMENT (1) The dismissal of Assistant Foreman C. W. Bowl
 _OF
 CLAIM: ing for alleged excessive absenteeism was without
 just and sufficient cause and wholly dispropor
 tionate to such a charge (System File 1-5(20)
 (79)).
 (2) Assistant Foreman C. W. Bowling shall be re-'
 instated in his seniority district with seniority
 and all other rights unimpaired and compensated
 for all wage loss suffered.
 FINDINGS: Claimant was dismissed for excessive absenteeism
 and tardiness. He had been employed about 54 years
 at the time of his dismissal.
 The record shows that during the last six months

 of his employment, he had been absent or late on a number of Mon-
 . 2

 --.,4~.va 3~
 clays (immediately after his weekend rest days) and other dates without permission. While a sound basis exists for disciplinary action, such extreme discipline as dismissal does not appear to be appropriate in this setting, particularly in the absence of a stronger record of prior discipline for absenteeism. Claimant will be reinstated without back pay.

 AWARD: .Claimant to be reinstated with seniority rights
 unimpaired but without back pay. To be effective
 kithin 30 days.
 Adopted at Louisville, Kentucky, February 27, 1981.


              Harold M..Weston, Chairman


Ca`ier Member Employe Membe