Parties. Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
 to and
 Dispute Southern Railway Company
 Georgia, Southern and Florida Railway Company
 Statement
 of Claim: Claim on behalf of former B&B Mechanic James W. Henderson
 that he be restored to service with seniority and other
 rights unimpaired, and be paid for all time lost as a
 result of his dismissal on September 25, 1981 for failing
 -to ,properly flag.
 Findings: The Board, after hearing upon the whole record and all evidence,
 finds 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 October 17, 1979-, that it has jurisdiction of the
 parties and the subject matter, and that. the parties were given due
 notice of the hearing held,
 Claimant, on September 1, 1981, was assigned to and working with Bridge and Building Gang No. E19R which was performing work on a trestle at Mf7e Post V26.Q near Beltorn, South Carolina. The repairs required that members of the gang'and a large bridge hoist (crane) work out on the trestle. Operating Rule 1507(b) requires that there be flag protection provided in both directions in order to protect the track equipment unless other means of protection have been arranged for.
 Claimant was one-of the employees assigned to provide flagging protection. A Supervisor and a B&B Helper both found Claimant lying down by the track asleep instead of providing flag protection.
 Claimant was advised, under date September 3, 1981, to. attend a formal investigation: "'...charged with improper flagging, violation of Rule 99, Rule 1507(b) and Standard Procedure No. 740 - Live Flagging.. At approximately 9 A.M. September 1, 1981, you
          . -2- Award No. 20 ~a 5510


            were found lying down asleep on the inside of the curve of M.P. V26.5. You were supposed to be protecting bridge crew working with a bridge hoist on trestle at N. P. V26.0 from all eastbound movements."


Following the investigation Claimant was advised, under date of September 25, 1981, in part: "The evidence in the-above mentioned investigation is conclusive that you were asleep while performing flagging duties protecting Bridge Gang E19R at Mile Post V-26.0. Sleeping in the performance of flagging duty greatly endangered your fellow employees-with serious injury or even death.

          In-view of the above violation you are permanently dismised-as a B&B employee of. Southern Railway effective end of working day September 255, T98T."


CTaimant',s defense, in essence, was that while he was laying down he was not sleeping and that he only laid down because his side was hurting and that he had spoken to Supervisor Sheppard and B&B Helper Blythe when they walked up.
 Claimant's perception of the facts differ markedly with that of Carrier's witnesses. Here,. Carrier chose to believe the testimony of its witnesses- The record finds naabuseof such discretion.
 There was sufficient evidence adduced to support the conclusions of guilt reached by Carrier.
 The offense for which Claimant was charged, sleeping while on duty, is_highly reflective of extreme negligence. It is a most serious offense with discharge generally assessed. as discipline therefor. In the circumstances the Board finds no cause on: this record to interfere therewith. This c7airtr will be denied.

 Award: Claifr denied.

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          mp oyee a ens z , , Carrier Member


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                  Arthur Van wart, Chairman and Neutral Member


                  Issued April 19, 1983.