PUBLIC LAW BOARD NUMBER 3932
Award Number: 3
Case Number: 3
PARTIES TO DISPUTE
BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF WAY EMPLOYEES
and
NATIONAL RAILROAD PASSENGER CORPORATION (AMTRAK)
STATEMENT OF CLAIM
"This claim is on behalf of P. Collins for
time made by R. Henning.
On March 6, and 7, 1984 (8 hours each day),
Mr...Henning was used to pilot the Wilmington
Sub-Div. burro crane removing rail at Brill
Interlocking. This work accrues to the
Philadephia Division as per Rule 14 of the
Agreement. If additional help was needed on
these dates, Mr. Collins should have been
used on an overtime basis ahead of Mr.
Henning, who holds a position in the
Baltimore Division.
Due to this violation of Rules 14, 55, and
56, I am claiming 16 hours at time and onehalf for Mr. Collins."
FINDINGS
Claimant, at the time of the dispute in question, was
employed as a Foreman at Carrier's Philadelphia Division. By
letter dated March 17, 1984, the organization filed claim on
behalf of Claimant seeking compensation on the basis that Carrier
allowed an employee outside of Claimant's zone to perform service
within Claimant's zone on March 6 and 7, 1984, in violation of
the Agreement.
The issue to be decided in this dispute is whether Claimant
39~
was entitled under the Agreement to perform the work in question.
The position of the Organization is that Carrier violated
the Agreement when it allowed a Zone 2 employee to perform
service in Zone. 4 on the dates in question. Specifically, the
Organization alleges that Carrier violated Rules 14, 55 and 56 of
the Agreement.
The organization initially cites Rule 14, covering "Working
Zones", which states "normal maintenance work ...will be
advertised to the working zone. ..Seniority Districts and working
zones ...will not be changed except by agreefhent..." The
Organization contends that Rule 14 clearly delineates between
working zones and prohibits Carrier from using Zone 2 employees
in Zone 4 areas except under certain circumstances, which the
organization alleges did not exist on the dates in question. The
organization contends that other provisions of the Agreement
indicate that the integrity of working zones may not be violated
by Carrier absent specific agreement.
The organization further contends that Carrier violated
Rules 55 and 56 of the Agreement by failing to allow Claimant to
perform overtime service to which he was entitled. The
Organization alleges that Carrier was obligated under Rules 14
and 55 to call Claimant to perform the service in question, and
its failure to do so warrants the compensation sought.
Award No. 3932 - Award No. 3
The position of the Carrier is that it may utilize employees
in cross-zone service without penalty under the Agreement.
Initially, Carrier denies that any provision of the
Agreement prohibits it from using a Zone 2 employee in Zone 4
areas. Carrier argues that Rule 24fowhere prohibits it from
utilizing employees for cross-zone service, and that the
organization has failed to point to any part of Rule
specifically prohibiting such service. Similarly, Carrier argues
that Rules 55 and 56 have no relevance to the present case, since
Claimant has not demonstrated any entitlement to perform such
overtime service on the dates in question.
Carrier further argues that other provisions of the
Agreement indicate that such service is not only unprohibited,
but is specifically contemplated. Carrier cites Rules 41, 63 and
79 to substantiate its position that cross-zone service is
recognized as proper under the Agreement. Carrier further cites
the schedule of the Penn Coach Yard Wire Train, which it alleges
demonstrates clearly that cross-zone service is commonly
performed by its employees. Finally, Carrier cites a Section 6
notice filed by the organization on August 21, 1984, where the
Organization attempted to modify Rule 56. Carrier alleges that
the Section 6 notice serves as conclusive evidence that the
Agreement does not currently prohibit cross-zone service.
Otherwise the
Organization would
have had no motive to file the
notice.
39.3a_3
After review of the record, the Board finds the
organization's claim must be denied.
This case involves facts similar to those before this Board
in Case No. 1. As in Case No. 1, we find in the present case
that the Organization has failed to sustain its burden of proof
by establishing a violation of the Agreement.
Initially, we find that none of the rules cited by the
organization supports the claim presented. Rule 14, relied upon
by the Organization, contains no language prohibiting Carrier
from using Zone 2 employees in Zone 4 areas. Rule 14 only
requires Carrier to advertise positions within zones and to
refrain from changing working zones without agreement. The
organization has failed to cite any part of Rule 14 violated by
Carrier through its actions in the present case. Moreover, Rules
55 and 56 have no relevance to the claim presented, since there
has been no demonstration that Claimant was entitled to perform
overtime service on the dates in question, or that the Zone 2
employee performed overtime service in violation of Rule 56.
Additionally, we find that other provisions cited by the
organization fail to indicate that cross-zone service is
prohibited.
-4-
Award 3932 - Case No. 3
AWARD
Claim denied.
DATE:
Neutral Member
Carrier Member
inization Member