BEFORE SPECIAL BOARD OF ADJUSTMENT NO. 1040
PARTIES: SOO LINE RAILROAD COMPANY
TO
DISPUTE: BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF WAY EMPLOYEES
STATEMENT OF CLAIM:
Appeal of Armando Gonzales discipline.
FINDINGS:
On October 21, 1993, the Claimant was notified by the
Carrier that subsequent to a formal investigation, he had been
found guilty of placing himself and those around him in an unsafe
position which resulted in an on-the-job injury to Mr. Duzan on
May 13, 1993. The Claimant was assessed a 20-day deferred
suspension from service with a one-year probationary period.
On October 25, 1993, the Claimant advised the Carrier of his
intention to appeal the discipline under the provisions of the
Agreement of June 1, 1990.
This Board has reviewed the evidence and testimony in this
case and we find that the Carrier has not presented sufficient
evidence that the Claimant was guilty of engaging in an unsafe
work practice on May 13, 1993. Numerous Boards have held in many
,cases in the past that simply because an accident occurs which
involved an employee it does not necessarily mean that the
employee had been involved in a rule violation or engaged
in
unsafe work practices legitimating the imposition of discipline.
The carrier in every case has the burden to present sufficient
proof that an employee actually broke a rule or did something
mho-~
or omitted fulfilling a work requirement which led to the
accident in order for the Carrier to have the right to impose
discipline against the employee for the fact that the accident
occurred.
In this case, a thorough review of the transcript indicates
that there was simply insufficient evidence presented of any
wrongdoing on the part of the Claimant to support the imposition
of discipline. Therefore, the claim must be sustained and all
discipline must be removed from the claimant's record.
AWARD
Claim sustained.
PETL~ R.IYE7,~`S
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Dated: ~~"~ ~^ ~,~