PARTIES Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees
 TO and
 DISPUTE Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway Company
 STATEMENT "1. That the dismissal of Northern Division
 OF CLAIM Trackman G. A. Thurston from service after
 formal investigation May 13, 1981, was unjust.
 2. That Claimant Thurston be reinstated to
 service with seniority, vacation, all-
 benefit rights unimpaired, paid for wage
 loss and/or otherwise made whole."

 FINDINGS
 Upon the whole record, after hearing, the Board finds that the parties herein are Carrier and Employees within the meaning of the Railway Labor Act, as amended, and that this Board is duly constituted under Public Law 89-456 and has jurisdiction of the parties and the subject matter.

 Following an investigation Claimant Thurston was dismissed frown service for allegedly violating Carrier's rules with respect to being absent without proper authority on 13 days in April and May of 1981.

 The record of the investigation, in this matter reveals that Claimant=was indeed absent without authority on the dates indicated by Carrier in its charges. No defense was made with respect to the dates in question. The Board is of the opinion that the record in this case is consistent with
 that in many other situations in which absence without proper authority justifies permanent dismissal. There is no doubt but that Carrier has the right to impose discipline necessary in order to operate in an efficient manner and rely upon the presence of its employees. Conduct such as that of Claimant,in this case, is simply not tolerable in an employment situation. It is concluded, therefore, that the evidence was sufficient to support Carrier's conclusion that Claimant was guilty and the penalty cannot be considered to be harsh, excessive or an abuse of discretion.

 AWARD
              Claim denied.


I_. 1.~ c `(-, SIG ~

                      M. Lieberman, Neutral Chairman


i- ~ , ' t
 G. M. Garmon, C rrier member S,. E. Fleming, Employ a Member

 February 8 , 1983
 Chicago, IL