Heard at Montreal, Tuesday, 13 April 1993

concerning

and

Dismissal of Locomotive Engineer T.W. Lode, Cranbrook, B.C.

Following an investigation held on January 6, 1992, in connection with his failing to be available for duty at Golden, B.C., December 25, 1991, and his subsequent submission of wage claims, the Company dismissed Locomotive Engineer Lode for knowingly submitting a fraudulent wage claim in respect of the last tour of duty worked at Cranbrook, B.C., prior to the General Holiday, December 25, 1991.

The Brotherhood contends that the discipline assessed was too severe for the above violation and Locomotive Engineer Lode should be reinstated.

The Company denied the Brotherhood's contention and declined this request.

There appeared on behalf of the Company:

R. E. Wilson - Labour Relations Officer, Vancouver

R. N. Hunt - Labour Relations Officer, Montreal

A. Manion - Witness

And on behalf of the Brotherhood:

T. G. Hucker - General Chairman, Calgary

D. C. Curtis - Vice-General Chairman, Calgary

G. Hallé - Vice-President, Ottawa

T. Lode - Grievor

In the Arbitrator's view this is an appropriate case for a substitution of penalty. In many circumstances the knowing submission of a fraudulent wage claim will be appropriate grounds for the most serious degree of discipline. On occasion, however, having regard to the specific circumstances, penalties short of discharge have been found by employers in the railway industry to be appropriate (see, e.g., CROA 2348, where a locomotive engineer's record reveals that he was twice suspended for the falsification of time claims, but not discharged).

The grievor's record reveals no prior incident of this kind, and it is common ground that he has expressed sincere regret for what he did. His submission of an incorrect time claim for the Christmas and Boxing Day holiday of 1991 must, on balance, be seen as an uncharacteristic and isolated incident arising in the context of an otherwise good work record. At the time of discharge he was discipline free, and had registered discipline free service in four separate years between April 15, 1986 and December 30, 1990. It is also noteworthy that the Company did not deem it necessary to remove Mr. Lode from service pending the investigation of his claim. In the circumstances of this case the Arbitrator is satisfied that the bond of trust necessary to the employment relationship of Locomotive Engineer Lode has not been broken, and that he can be restored to trustworthy service.

For the foregoing reasons the grievance is allowed, in part. The Arbitrator directs that the grievor be reinstated into his employment, without loss of seniority and without compensation.