Violating the Carrier's "Excessive Absenteeism Policy" for Maintenance of Way employees whereas you were absent or late on the following days:

January 6-7, 1998 -- Absent

January 12 -- Absent

January 13 -- Late Arrival

January 14, 16 -- Absent

January 19 -- Late Arrival

January 23 -- Absent

Following the hearing, the Claimant was dismissed from service.

The Carrier has had in effect since 1990 a Maintenance of Way Excessive Absenteeism Policy which includes the following:

Maintenance of Way Employees failing to report to work or reporting to work late, or departing from work early for (3) incidents in a thirty (30) day period are considered as being "Excessively Absent". In cases where the employee reports off "ill" for several consecutive days, this constitutes one (1) incident.

The Claimant, hired in July 1997, was subject to the Policy's progressive discipline three times within the first six months of employment. The final instances of absences and tardiness here under review clearly exceeded the limit of three absences in a 30day period.

The organization argues that unusual personal circumstances were the cause of the Claimant's unsatisfactory attendance. As found in several previous Awards, however, the established policy encompasses all absences, regardless of cause. Given the opportunity afforded the Claimant through progressive and hopefully corrective discipline, the Board has no basis to disturb the Carrier's dismissal action in line with its absenteeism policy.

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