BEFORE PUBLIC LAW BOARD NO. 6043
INTERNATIONAL BROTHERHOOD OF TEAMSTERS
BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF WAY EMPLOYES DIVISION
and
CANADIAN NATIONAL RAILWAY
ILLINOIS CENTRAL RAILROAD
Case No. 47
STATEMENT OF CLAIM:
Claim of Track Inspector V. W. Buford, Memphis TN, that his ". . . personal record be
cleared of the charge immediately and that he be made whole in accordance with Rule
33(i)" for violation of U.S. Operating Rules General Rule G, Substance and Alcohol
Free Environment Policy and Guidelines and Agreement to Undergo Toxicological
Testing, signed by Mr. Buford on July 12, 2004. Organization File Number: S
A120506.0 CN-IC V.W. Buford (Investigation). Carrier File Number IC 134 106 29.
FINDINGS:
By notice dated August 31, 2006, the Claimant was directed to attend a formal
hearing and investigation to determine whether the Claimant violated U.S. Operating
Rule G, Drugs and Alcohol, or any other Carrier rules or policies, when the Claimant
tested positive for illegal or controlled substances while working as a Track Inspector in
Memphis, Tennessee, on August 22, 2006. After several postponements, the hearing
was conducted on October 13, 2006. By letter dated October 26, 2006, the Claimant was
informed that as a result of the hearing, he was found guilty of violating U.S. Operating
Rule G, Substance and Alcohol Free Environment (SAFE) Policy and Guidelines, and the
Agreement to Undergo Toxicological Testing that the Claimant signed on July 12, 2004.
The letter further informed the Claimant that he was being dismissed from the Carrier's
service. The Organization thereafter filed a claim on behalf of the Claimant, challenging
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the Carrier's decision to discharge him. The Carrier denied the claim.
The Carrier initially contends that there is no validity to the Organization's
position. As for the Claimant's absence from the investigation, the Carrier asserts that
the investigation notices were sent by certified mail to the Claimant's home address of
record. The Carrier argues that the Claimant was fully advised of the time and place of
the investigation, and he had every opportunity to attend and testify.
With regard to the Organization's position that the Claimant's due process rights
were violated because the Claimant was not present at the investigation, the Claimant was
not afforded the opportunity to testify in his own defense, and the Organization
unsuccessfully sought a postponement due to the Claimant's inability to attend the
investigation, the Carrier emphasizes that the Claimant was given advance notice by
certified mail of the investigation. Moreover, the investigation notice informed the
Claimant of his right to representation and his right to produce witnesses on his behalf.
The Carrier further asserts that on at least one occasion, it agreed to the Organization's
request to postpone the investigation.
The Carrier maintains that the Claimant had previously admitted to being in
violation of Rule G while working as a track inspector on April 6, 2004. The Carrier
points out that among the return-to-work conditions that the Claimant and his
representative agreed to was the Claimant's commitment to remain substance free for the
remainder of his career. The Carrier emphasizes that the transcript clearly shows that on
August 22, 2006, the Claimant again was in violation of Rule G.
The Carrier asserts that the Agreement has not been violated. The Cannier
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ultimately contends that the instant claim is without merit and should be dismissed in its
entirety.
The Organization initially contends that the Carrier violated the Claimant's due
process right to a fair and impartial hearing. The Organization asserts that the record
demonstrates that the investigation was held in the Claimant's absence, the Claimant was
not afforded the opportunity to testify in his own defense, and the Organization asked for
a postponement due to the Claimant's being unable to attend the investigation, but the
hearing officer denied this request. The Organization argues that there can be no
question that the Carrier's decision to proceed with the hearing in the Claimant's absence
clearly violated the Claimant's due process rights. The Organization maintains that the
Carrier's decision to dismiss the Claimant therefore should be vitiated.
The Organization emphasizes that an objective evaluation of the record
conclusively establishes that the discipline imposed cannot be validly upheld. The
Organization ultimately contends that the instant claim should be sustained in its entirety.
The parties being unable to resolve their dispute, this matter came before this
Board.
This Board has reviewed the procedural argmnents raised by the Organization, and
we find them to be without merit. The record reveals that the Claimant was granted two
postponements, and he still failed to show for the hearing. This Board finds that there
was no predetermined investigation on the part of the hearing officer and that the
Claimant's right to a due process hearing were protected.
This Board has reviewed the evidence and testimony in this case, and we find that
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there is sufficient evidence in the record to support the finding that the Claimant was
guilty of a second Rule G violation. The record reveals that in 2004, the Claimant was
guilty of his first Rule G violation, and he agreed to remain clean from drugs and alcohol
for the balance of his career, and he also agreed to random drug testing. Consequently,
the Claimant had his second chance and he failed to live up to it.
Once this Board has determined that there is sufficient evidence in the record to
support the guilty finding, we next turn our attention to the type of discipline imposed.
This Board will not set aside a Carrier's imposition of discipline unless we find its
actions to have been unreasonable, arbitrary, or capricious.
This Claimant was guilty of his second Rule G violation and this Board cannot
find that the Carrier acted unreasonably, arbitrarily or capriciously when it terminated his
employment, despite the fact of his lengthy seniority. Therefore, the claim must be
denied.
AWARD:
The claim is denied. ~.------.~
OY(GANIZX. ION MEMBER
DATED:
PEThR~R MEYERS
Neutra Mvrnh
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CARRIE MEMBER
DATEi-3: