The investigative hearing was originally scheduled within the required 15 days. Before such date, however, the Carrier postponed the hearing to a date two weeks later. The Organization argues that this invalidates the hearing and its results. The Board notes, however, that no protest as to the short delay in hearing was made prior to or, more significantly, at the hearing itself. Since there was no perceived harm to the Claimant's defense, the Board in this instance finds no basis to invalidate the hearing.

The record clearly demonstrates the Claimant's role in having knowledge of and assisting in deceiving the Carrier in the substitution of a person without employee status for that of the employee recalled to service. The offense is serious, and the Carrier's dismissal action was a reasonable result.

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