Heard in Montreal, Tuesday, 13 June 1995

concerning

and

Claim on behalf of Extra Gang Labourer Mr. D. Larose.

The grievor worked for the Company from December 3-16, 1993 [sic]. On February 16, 1994, he received a letter that stated that in view of the fact that his performance as an Extra Gang Labourer was unsatisfactory, he would not be called back and that his employment with CN was terminated.

The Union contends that : 1) no just cause existed for the grievor’s dismissal; 2) the Company has violated Article 4.1 of Agreement 10.13 as well as any other applicable provision of the collective agreement; 3) the grievor has been unjustly dealt with pursuant to Article 18.6 of Agreement 10.1

The Union requests that the grievor be reinstated forthwith without loss of seniority and that he be compensated for all wages, benefits and expenses lost as a result of this matter.

The Company denies the Union’s contentions an declines the Union’s request.

There appeared on behalf of the Company:

J. C. McDonnell – Counsel, Toronto

M. E. Hughes – System Labour Relations Officer, Montreal

N. Dionne – Manager, Labour Relations, Montreal

R. Baker – Program Coordinator, Production - East, Montreal

D. Cromwell – Extra Gang Foreman, Belleville

And on behalf of the Brotherhood:

P. Davidson – Counsel, Ottawa

R. A. Bowden – System Federation General Chairman, Eastern Lines, Ottawa

G. Schneider – System Federation General Chairman, Western Lines, Winnipeg

A. Trudel – Federation General Chairman, Montreal

The instant dispute concerns the termination of a probationary employee. Mr. Larose worked as an extra gang labourer for the Company from September through December of 1993, in part at MacMillan Yard, in Toronto. Following his release at the end of the working season, in February of 1994, he was advised by letter dated February 16, 1994 that his "... performance as an extra gang labourer has not been satisfactory", and that he would not be called back to work, as his employment was terminated.

The standard to be applied in respect of the termination of a probationary employee has been considered in prior awards of this Office. In CROA 1568 the following comment appears:

The evidence before the Arbitrator indicates that reports provided to the Company by the grievor’s immediate supervisors gave rise to legitimate concern. Mr. David Cromwell, the Extra Gang Foreman who supervised the grievor for a period of several weeks during the fall of 1993 gave evidence under oath at the hearing with respect to his performance. According to Mr. Cromwell, whose evidence the Arbitrator accepts as being fair and accurate, Mr. Larose often worked in a dangerous manner, creating a hazard both to himself and to other employees. Mr. Cromwell relates, for example, that on at least one occasion he was physically struck by Mr. Larose while working in proximity to him. Mr. Cromwell further relates that Mr. Larose was difficult to train in the use of tools, and that he was abrupt and disrespectful in his replies to Mr. Cromwell when he attempted to instruct or correct the grievor. Further, Mr. Cromwell stresses that Mr. Larose was late for work on an almost daily basis. On the basis of all of the foregoing considerations, with particular regard to what Mr. Cromwell described as the grievor’s inability to learn and demonstrate an interest in the job, he felt compelled to assign him to work which involved close supervision and little danger to himself or others. Ultimately, based on his observations of the grievor, Mr. Cromwell recommended to Program Supervisor M.G. White that Mr. Larose not be taken on as a permanent employee.

In the Arbitrator’s view the evidence of Mr. Cromwell is more than adequate to discharge the burden which is upon the Company in the case at hand. Article 4.1 of supplemental agreement 10.13 governs the instant grievance and provides as follows:

The Arbitrator is satisfied, on the basis of the evidence adduced, that the Company had cause to form the opinion that Mr. Larose was undesirable for permanent service, as reflected in the testimony of Mr. Cromwell. The concerns of the Brotherhood, with respect to possible reprisals for on-the-job injuries incurred by the grievor, as well as other extraneous considerations apparently raised during the course of grievance correspondence, are understandable. However, the case must, in the end, be judged on its merits. There appears to be little dispute that the decision taken by Mr. White in February of 1994 was based upon information and recommendations provided to him by Mr. Cromwell. For the reasons touched upon above, Mr. Cromwell’s assessment of the grievor, a member of the same bargaining unit, is accepted as accurate. In the circumstances I am satisfied that the Company had ample basis for its decision to consider Mr. Larose undesirable for service and to terminate his services, as contemplated under the provisions of article 4.1 of supplemental agreement 10.13. It did so in good faith, and without discrimination or arbitrariness, and did not deal unjustly with the grievor.

For all of the foregoing reasons the grievance must be dismissed.

16 June 1995 (signed) MICHEL G. PICHER