?'UBLIC LAN BOARD NO. 3514
Case No. 356 Award No. 356-
PARTIES Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
to -and
DISPUTE: Consolidated Rail Corporation
STATEMENT OF CLAIM:
Appeal of trackman, David J. Jefferson; Jr., to have
his discipline of dismissal set aside.
FINDINGS: The evidence shows that the Claimant did not -provide a
negative urine sample as directed by the Carrier on April 2, 1987.
These are difficult cases for all concerned, particularly for the
Organization. It has forcefully and with skill advanced its many concerns with respect to the application of the carrier's Drug Policy.
In this respect, it has raised questions about and objections to the
Carrier's testing procedures as well as the Carrier's failure to produce
medical personnel at the hearing held on this matter who could speak
authoritatively about the validity of the urine test and be crossexamined so that.relevant information could be elicited.
Page 2
The Board has carefully considered these contentions. We under--.
stand the points raised by the Organization and do-recognize that they
are not without merit in certain situations. However, the record here
shows that the Carrier employed a highly reputable testing facility,
which used the latest techniques and procedures to assure the accuracy -
of its tests. Therefore, it is established that the test result is a
",medical-fact" as distinguished from a "medical opinion". Accordingl_·,
the failure to have a-medical person
present at
the hearing for cross
examination does not fatally flaw the fairness of the proceedings. -
Railroad work is dangerous. The safety of the Carrier's workforce,
as well as the public, requires positive measures to ensure that the
inherent dangers are minimized. In furtherance of these efforts, the
Carrier initiated a drug testing program which it announced to each of--- -
its employees, as noted earlier. The substance of the carrier's program,
as well as ones like it used by other Carriers has been upheld by numerous arbitral Awards. Given the established facts of this case, we
have no basis to arrive at an Award that runs counter to these many.
Awards. In the instant case, the Claimant was put on notice and, in
effect, he was provided another opportunity to retain his employment. .
The consequences of his failure to
comply
with the carrier's direction
were of his choice.
AWARD
The claim is denied.
'. ~- ~-
F_q. Dom ski Ecce r Muessi J. P. Cassese
CzVrier er Neutral Membe~ Employee Member
Dated-
6 - y -9
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