PARTIES Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees
 TO
 DISPUTE: and
 CSX Transportation, Inc.
 STATEMENT The dismissal of Trackman R. Coleman, Jr. is
 OF
 CLAIM: without just cause and he should be reinstated with
 all rights unimpaired and compensation for time
 lost.
 FINDINGS: Claimant, a trackman with 12-1/2 years seniority,
 was dismissed for unauthorized absences on
 February 25, 26, 27, and 28, 1985. No attempt was
 made by him to contact his foreman or a Carrier
 officer to obtain permission to be absent. No
 valid explanation for his failure to protect his
 assignment has been offered.
 It is an important obligation of every railroad
 employee to be available for service on a steady
 basis. That claimant ignored and failed to comply
 with that fundamental requirement is entirely clear -
 from the record. Accordingly, substantial disci
 plinary actionis warranted for these unauthorized
 February 1985 absences.
 1
 3 79Y-3 ;1-

 AWARD:

 tL . /4 . r1h
 Carrier Member

 In determining the measure of discipline, it was appropriate for Carrier to take claimant's service record into consideration. Unfortunately, that record shows a consistent lack of concern by claimant ffor his obligation to protect assignments. And this neglect has continued despite progressive discipline over the years. During the last five years of employment, claimant received letters of caution for being absent without permission in June and November 1977, April 1979, and January 1981, as well as a 10-day suspension on May 22, 1981. On September 18, 1981, he was dismissed from service for absence without permission; he was reinstated - on a leniency basis without any back pay on September 25, 1984 by the Third Division. Five months later, the absences now in question occurred, again without permission.

 On the basis of this record, this Board cannot validly require Carrier to retain claimant in its employ.

 Claim denied.

 Adoptedt Jacksonville,,- 8lorida, /'')ARCS. 17 . 1987.

Harold . Weston, Chai an

 S

 Ethp-loyee Member~--,7