    

  

      

     



    





     

   

  

           

           

          

          

            

          

        

        

         

            

   

              

             

         

    

   

               

               

               

          

            

                 

               

              

                 



Public Law Board No. 7599 Award No. 139

Page 2

Eventually, Claimant radioed the Brandt truck to stop, which it did. Although slowing, Claimant's vehicle collided with the last car of the consist. There were no injuries and no damage to the equipment, although the Carrier alleged that Claimant was traveling in excess of 20 miles per hour at the time of the collision.

According to the Carrier's witness, this type of incident produces discipline no greater than Level 2S. Nonetheless, Carrier imposed dismissal alleging Level 4S was appropriate. The Carrier's discipline policy was not part of the record.

The record contains (Exhibit 10) several pages of aerial color photographs from the GPS system in Claimant's vehicle. The information depicted is difficult to read. In addition, they contain the name of David Chaney. Chaney had not worked for the Carrier for some time. The GPS system had not been updated to remove the references to him. There is no evidence that the GPS system had been calibrated or checked for accuracy.

One of the rules for which Claimant was found guilty is OTS Rule 906: Copying Mandatory Directives. Claimant contends he was not copying anything at the time of the collision.

The Organization sent Carrier a certified letter dated May 2, 2023. This was two weeks prior to the postponed hearing on May 18th• The letter requested statements and any documents prior to the hearing that the Carrier planned to introduce at the hearing. The Carrier did not object to the Organization's letter. Nonetheless, the record does not show the Carrier complied with the request. The documents in question were introduced for the first time at the hearing.

From the record, it appears that the Carrier effectively ignored the Organization's requests.

Under the circumstances, we find the Carrier denied the Claimant a fair and impartial investigation. He was an employee with 12 years of service with no prior discipline. Given the Carrier's failure to provide a fair and impartial investigation before assessing discipline, we must sustain the claim.

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AWARD: The Claim is sustained. The Carrier is directed to comply with this Award within thirty (30) days of the date shown below.

GeraldE.Wallin, Chairman and Neutral Member

/ John Schlismann Organization Member

DATED: :1io-uA '1 JO/

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Steve Napierkowski

Carrier Member

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