PARTIES TO DISPUTE:
                        St. Louis - Southwestern Railway and


                        Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees


STATEMENT OF CLAIM:

          "I. Carrier violated the Maintenance of Way

          Agreement, especially but not limited to Rule -

          6 - Discipline and Grievances, when Laborer

          Leroy Hampton was unjustly and improperly

          dismissed without investigation of cause,

          on March 12, 1976.


          "II. Mr. Leroy Hampton be reinstated with all

          seniority, vacation and other rights unimpaired,

          with pay for all time lost beginning March

          15, 1976."


FINDINGS:
 Claimant was charged with being absent on March 12, 1976, without proper authority. After investigation and hearing, Claimant was dismissed from Carrier's service.
 After reviewing the record, the Board finds that while Carrier was warranted in its determination that Claimant violated the rules, there were extenuating circumstances that it-takes this dismissal from service excessive. The Board feels that Claimant should be given "one last chance".
 Accordingly, Claimant shall be restored to service with seniority unimpaired, but with no pay for time lost.

AWARD

Claim disposed of per findings.

,_, Award No. 132
. SfiA 280

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                      Ne0'ral Member


      Carrier mber Organization Member


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            Date