Heard at Montreal, Tuesday, January 13, 1987

Concerning

and

Discharge of Trainman J. J. Marr, Nakina, Ontario.

Trainman Marr was discharged for the alleged violation of: Uniform Code of Operating Rules, Rule "G", General Operating Instructions, Section 2, Item 2.2, while employed as Trainman at Nakina, 19 June 1985.

The Union has appealed the discharge on the grounds that the Company has not substantiated a violation of the rules cited; that the provisions of Addendum No. 49 of Agreement 4.16 applied at the material times; and that, in any event, discharge was too severe given all the circumstances and the grievor’s seniority.

The Company has declined the Union’s appeal.

There appeared on behalf of the Company:

J. B. Bart – Labour Relations Officer, CNR, Montreal

D. W. Coughlin – Manager Labour Relations, CNR, Montreal

S. C. Thomas – Trainmaster, CNR, Hamilton

E. M. Dove – Lieutenant CN Police, CNR, Moncton

And on behalf of the Union:

R. A. Bennett – General Chairman, UTU, Toronto

Tom Fleming – Road Representative, UTU, Capreol

Bart Marcolini – General Chairman, CP Lines East, Toronto

John Marr – Grievor

At or about midnight on the morning of June 19, 1985, Trainman J. J. Marr reported for duty at Nakina to deadhead to Armstrong on Train 215. Along with other employees he was to operate Train 217 from Armstrong back to Nakina. While there is some conflict in the evidence, the Arbitrator is satisfied that Mr. Marr was in a state of intoxication due to the consumption of alcohol when he reported for duty at Nakina. Following an investigation he was discharged for a violation of Rule "G", General Operating Instructions, Section 2, Item 2.2. That Rule provides:

The Union questions whether, having accepted a call to report at midnight, the grievor was "subject to duty" in the hours immediately preceding, particularly given that he was scheduled to deadhead for several hours before assuming the active operation of a train. It argues that Mr. Marr was not "subject to duty" in the hours before he came to work within the meaning of General Rule G and would not have been "on duty" while deadheading.

The meaning of the phrase "subject to duty" was given prior consideration in CROA 557. In that Case a number of grievors were disciplined as a result of an incident which occurred when they were drinking while off duty, being scheduled to work the next day. The Arbitrator concluded that at the material time the employees were not "subject to duty", and that no violation of Rule "G" was disclosed. In so concluding, he reasoned in part, as follows:

The different issue raised in this grievance is whether an employee who accepts a call for duty which involves an initial portion of deadheading is "subject to duty" within the meaning of General Rule "G", and therefore prohibited from being under the influence of alcohol. It is clear that in CROA 557 the Arbitrator did not purport to establish an exhaustive interpretation or definition of the term "subject to duty". It is noteworthy, however, that he did stress that an employee who had accepted a call should be viewed as subject to duty. Is there any reason why that view should be qualified because a call involves a segment of time during which an employee is deadheading on a freight train? I have difficulty seeing how it can.

It is not disputed that while deadheading an employee is under Company orders, discharges an obligation to the Company, and is paid for doing so. While deadheading may not involve active service in the operation of a train, it is difficult to conceive that the parties would have intended to countenance the attendance on a freight train of a deadheading employee in a state of intoxication. A purposive interpretation of General Rule "G" must surely contemplate that deadheading employees who board, move about inside and travel on a moving freight train cannot be taken to do so safely while in a state of intoxication. The hazard which they pose to themselves and to other employees who may be actively engaged in the operation of the train should need little elaboration. The interpretation which may govern an employee deadheading on a passenger train, particularly after his or her active service is complete, does not arise for consideration in this case. In light of these considerations, I am satisfied that an employee who has accepted a call such as the grievor did is "subject to duty", and while deadheading is "on duty", within the meaning of General Rule "G". On this aspect of the case the position of the Company must be sustained.

Further conflict surrounds the issue of whether the grievor had actually commenced his duties at the time his state of intoxication was detected by his Supervisor. It appears to be common ground that if he had not yet reported for duty at the time of detection, for a first offence (which this was) he might not be liable to dismissal, in accordance with Appendix A of the Collective Agreement governing the Great Lakes Region. In this regard the Arbitrator must accept the evidence of Trainmaster S. C. Thomas, who spoke with the grievor and removed him from service on the occasion in question. The evidence establishes that during his interview of the grievor Mr. Thomas checked Mr. Marr’s watch, noting that it was at six minutes past midnight, which was after his reporting time. In the Arbitrator’s view it is significant that although the grievor attended the hearing, he was not called to give any evidence to the contrary. In the circumstances, therefore, I conclude that Appendix A referred to as Addendum No. 49, and the Note appended to it under Item 2, have no application.

For the foregoing reasons the Arbitrator deems it appropriate that a lesser penalty be substituted for that of discharge. The grievor shall be reinstated in his employment, without compensation or benefits, but without loss of seniority, with his disciplinary record to stand at 30 demerit marks. Mr. Marr’s reinstatement is conditional upon his providing to the Company, on a quarterly basis, a written confirmation provided by Alcoholics Anonymous, or a similarly recognized agency, of his continuing participation in a follow-up program, for not less than two years from the date of his reinstatement. I retain jurisdiction in the event of any dispute between the parties respecting the interpretation or implementation of this award.