Heard in Montreal, Wednesday, 15 February 1995

concerning

and

Assessment of 30 demerits and time out of service (32 days) to count as suspension to Locomotive Engineer L.G. Munro for violation of CROR 311(b).

On February 24, 1994, Mr. Munro was employed as locomotive engineer on Train 511. During this tour of duty, Train 511 entered the limits of Foreman Zimak between mile 9 and mile 10 without permission or instructions, in violation of CROR 311(B).

On March 2, 1994, Mr. Munro was required to provide a formal statement in connection with the incident that occurred on February 24, 1994 and was thereafter assessed 30 demerits and a 32 day suspension.

The Brotherhood appealed the discipline on the following grounds: (1.) The Company violated article 71.2 and article 71.6. (2.) There were various mitigating factors. (3.) The discipline was discriminatory and unjust. (4.) In the alternative, too severe.

The Company declined the Brotherhood’s appeal.

There appeared on behalf of the Company:

C. Morgan – Labour Relations Officer, Toronto

R. Bateman – Human Resources Officer, Toronto

J. J. Campbell – Manager, Train Services, London

M. Oakley – Project Officer, Toronto

And on behalf of the Council:

C. Hamilton – General Chairman, Toronto

E. Deboer – Local Chairman, London

The evidence before the Arbitrator confirms that the assignment of Train 511 on February 24, 1994 was relatively complex and difficult, as it involved moving through territory between London and Sarnia which is normally the subject of relatively numerous OCS clearances and other rule 42 and rule 43 restrictions. It is not disputed that Locomotive Engineer Munro’s train violated CROR rule 311(b) by entering the limits of Foreman Zimak, without the proper clearance. Upon realizing the error committed, Locomotive Engineer Munro brought his train to an emergency stop, without accident or damage. Standing alone the grievor’s actions merit a serious degree of discipline, and absent mitigating circumstances, the thirty demerits assessed by the Company would be justified and in keeping with similar cases in the past. For example, in CROA 2377 two locomotive engineers were found by the Arbitrator to be deserving of the assessment of thirty demerits and a two week suspension for a violation of CROR rule 309(b) as a result of penetrating into the limits of a work train.

In the case at hand, however, there are certain mitigating factors to be considered. As noted above, the territory in question requires the undivided attention of the crew because of its complexity. On the day in question Locomotive Engineer Munro and Conductor A.L. Sproule were accompanied in the cab by Manager of Train and Engine Service M.R. Oakley. It is common ground that Mr. Oakley was new to the territory as a supervisor, and was arguably unfit for duty, having worked with little or no rest for some thirty hours. Mr. Oakley’s presence in the cab caused the brakeperson, whose task is normally to ride in the cab and call restriction and clearance reminders, to be moved to a position in the third locomotive unit. Unfortunately, during the course of the trip Mr. Oakley engaged in unnecessary conversation with the crew members, questioning them about the efficiency of their switching moves and operations en route. While there is some controversy about this aspect of the evidence, the Arbitrator is satisfied that a degree of argument ensued between Mr. Oakley and Conductor Sproule, causing some distraction to the crew.

The Council submits that the presence of Mr. Oakley was a contributing factor in the error committed by the grievor. In the Arbitrator’s view that claim is not without some foundation. A report made by an investigator of the National Transportation Agency contains, in part, the following:

As the above passages reflect, to the satisfaction of the Arbitrator, it would appear that there was simply too much going on in the cab of the lead locomotive at the time of the unfortunate rule infraction which transpired. While that does not excuse the responsibility of the locomotive engineer, or indeed of the conductor, it is a factor which can legitimately be taken into account when regard is had to the appropriate penalty. The material before the Arbitrator discloses that the supervisor in question was also disciplined, and suffered a demotion and permanent loss of income as a result of his involvement in the rules violation. On the whole, however, the Arbitrator is not persuaded that the responsibility of Mr. Munro should be placed on the same level as in other cases where similar mitigating factors may not have been present (e.g., CROA 2377). It is also worthy of note that Mr. Munro is a good employee of twenty-four years’ service without any prior cardinal rules infractions.

The Council alleges that the Company violated the provisions of article 71 of the collective agreement in respect of conducting a fair and impartial investigation. The Arbitrator can see no substance to this allegation, which appears to be based on conversations which may have taken place on the site of the event, immediately after it occurred. There must be some latitude in the Company to conduct conversations with persons involved in an incident, in a preliminary manner, before determining whether a formal investigation should be convened. Absent obvious bad faith or attempts to avoid the provisions of the collective agreement, normal communications of that kind do not bring into play the more restrictive standards which obtain during the course of a formal investigation under the provisions of the collective agreement. (see CROA 1737 and 2573) I am satisfied that there was no violation of the requirements of article 71 in the case at hand, and the Council’s position in that regard must be dismissed.

For all of the foregoing reasons, in light of the mitigating factors disclosed, the Arbitrator deems it appropriate to reduce the penalty assessed. The grievor’s record shall be amended to reflect the assessment of twenty demerits for the rules infraction, and his period out of service shall be reduce to two weeks, with compensation for wages and benefits lost.

17 February 1995 (signed) MICHEL G. PICHER