Opinion ID: 500031
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: The Arbitrator's Decision

Text: 42 The arbitrator issued his award in the ground service employees' dispute on May 20, 1983. Without notice of the UTU's centrally announced position in Tucumcari and without reference to the UTU Constitution, the arbitrator declared that the October 22, 1980 implementing agreement met the requirements of the March 4th Agreement. In his analysis of the claims of the former Rock Island employees, the arbitrator found their situation to be unfortunate. Yet, he found that the CNW employees union representatives adequately represented them. Specifically he stated: 43 Full opportunity was given to all representatives of these employees to further discuss this matter with the Carrier in order to reach an implementing agreement. Unfortunately, with respect to the crafts here involved only the C & NW--UTU representative reached an understanding with the Carrier. This does not mean, however, that the UTU representatives of former Rock Island employees were not afforded the fullest opportunity to make their case with respect to the allocation of additional manpower. 44 Arbitration at 4. 45 Finally, in contravention of the clear intent of the March 4th Agreement, the UTU Constitution, and Tucumcari, the arbitrator declared that any notion of prior rights or dovetailing of seniority would be improper and that employees of bankrupt railroads were only entitled to limited relief. 46 Having set forth the factual background of the present dispute, we turn to resolving the specific legal claims of the parties. 47