Mopac File 247-6888


Parties Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employes
 to and
 Dispute: Missouri Pacific Railroad Company

 Statement
 of Claim: 1. Carrier violated the effective Agreement when
 System Rail Gang Trackman A. L. Natani was unjustly
 dismissed November 17, 1984.

 2. Claimant Natani shall now be paid for eight (8) hours each work day beginning November 17, 1984, including any holidays falling therein and any overtime which would have accrued to him had he not been dismissed, and continuing until reinstated to service with seniority, pass and vacation rights unimpaired. Findings: The Board, after hearing upon the whole record and all evidence, finds that the parties herein are Carrier and Employee within the meaning of the Railway Labor Act, as amended, that this Board is duly constituted by Agreement dated January 5, 1959, that it has jurisdiction of the parties and the subject matter, and that the parties were given due notice of the hearing held.
 Claimant, on July 13, 1984, was assigned as Trackman on System Rail Gang 6803 working near Union, Nebraska. He absented himself from his assignment on July 13, 1984 without proper authority. Subsequent to that date, Claimant failed to protect his assignment on a continuous basis.
 SBA 279 -2-.ward No. 235

        Consequently, on August 10, 1984, the Manager of Rail notified Claimant to attend a formal investigation for his failure to report and protect his assignment on July 13, and then continuing to be absent thereafter.

        Claimant failed to appear at the investigation finally held on November 6, 1984. It was then held in absentia. As a result thereof, Carrier concluded therefrom that Claimant was guilty of the charge placed against him. He was dismissed from service as discipline therefor.

        The Board finds the Claimant was accorded the due process to which titled under his Discipline Rule.

        There was sufficient evidence adduced to support the conclusions reached by the Carrier. As noted in Second Division Award 6240:


                "The Board has repeatedly pointed out the detrimental effects of absenteeism on the operations of the railroad. (Award 1814-Carter, Award 5049-Johnson) The confusion and disruption created when an employee absents himself from work without due notice to supervision is harmful not only to the employer but also to employees as well. We therefore cannot fault Management when it takes affective measures to deter excessive absenteeism and tardiness."

        Claimant's indifference to his obligation to protect his work assignment was equally demonstrated by his interest in the disciplinary investigation being held in his behalf.

        The Claimant had only six months seniority. The discipline, in the circumstances, is found to be reasonable.

SBA 279 -3- ward No. 235

        This claim will be denied.


        Award: Claim denied.


        MT" A.-c. ristie, Employee Member h nn n, Carrier Mem er-


                  Ar ur T, an Wart, airman

                  and Neutral Member


              Issued August 23. 1986.