Parties to Dispute:







Statement of Claim:





Upon the whole record and all the evidence, after hearing, the Board finds that the patties herein are carrier and employee within the meaning of the Railway Labor Act, as amended, and this board is duly constituted by agreement under Public Law 89-456 and has jurisdiction of the parties and subject matter.

This award is based on the facts and circumstances of this particular case and shall not serve as a precedent in any other case.

                        AWARD


After thoroughly reviewing and considering the transcript and the parties' presentations, the Board finds that the claim should be disposed of as follows:

The record reflects that on July 15, 2002, while in police custody after having been arrested on a charge of domestic violence, Claimant called Carrier and requested to mark off on vacation, stating that he was needed to care for his aunt who had had a stroke. Accordingly, we find that Carrier proved the charge of marking off under false pretenses by substantial evidence.

The record further reflects that Claimant had thirty-one years of service at the time of the incident. There is no evidence in the record of any prior discipline. Considering all of the facts and circumstances, we find that the penalty of dismissal was excessive. Carrier shall reinstate Claimant to service with seniority unimpaired but without compensation for time held out of service.

                        M. H. Malin

                    Chairman and Neutral Member


D. Rholomay D. L. Kerby
Organ tion Member Carrier Member
Issued at Chicago, Illinois on December 29, 2003