    

  

      

     

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    





     

   

  

           

           

         

          

          

         

         

 

            

            

            



              

             

       

              

            

          

           

             

  

              

             

           

PUBLIC LAW BOARD NO. 7559 AWARDNO. 144

Page 2

FINDINGS OF THE BOARD:

The Board, upon the whole record and on the evidence, finds that the parties herein are the Carrier and Employees within the meaning of the Railway Labor Act, as amended; that this Board is duly constituted by agreement of the parties; that the Board has jurisdiction over the dispute, and that the parties were given due notice of the hearing.

The Organization contends that it and the Claimants are entitled to a default decision in their favor per Rule 24 of the Agreement.

Rule 24 dictates the process for handling claims on the property. The rule specifies the steps that must be followed and the timing of those steps. If the time limit for each step is not followed, the rule provides that the claim must be allowed.

The instant claim was filed on September 13, 2022. The reply by the Carrier was timely as was the Organization's January 2, 2023 appeal. Rule 24(b) requires the Carrier to hold a meeting within 60-days to discuss the claim. The meeting was not held until June 12, 2023. Thereafter, the rule calls for the Carrier to notify within 60-days of the reasons the claim was not allowed. The rule says, "When not so notified, the claim will be allowed." On September 11, 2023, the Organization notified the Carrier that no post-conference letter was received as of the date.

The record does not show that the Carrier complied with the time limit ofRule 24. Therefore, the Claim must be allowed without reaching the merits.

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

GeraldRWallin, Chairman and Neutral Member

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/4 ---in-;s hlismann Organization Member

Steve Napierkowski Carrier Member

DATED: :'.JA"'IUAl'\."f JO :zo-Z.,S: