Opinion ID: 617237
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 4

Heading: Sampson to Balser: The Times They Are A-Changin'

Text: Approximately two or three days following his February 13 meeting with Balser, Sampson stated he met with Balser to inform her that the Zyglo Sorter position, initially believed to be permanent, had been reclassified as temporary because the person she was intended to replace now was returning from sick leave; a different position (that was permanent) was available to her; she still could accept the Zyglo Sorter position, provided that she understood it was temporary; and she also had the right to refuse that job without any penalty, given that it was a temporary position. According to Sampson, Balser stated that she wished to remain in the temporary Zyglo Sorter position. Although Balser acknowledges that she spoke with Sampson at least twice prior to her February 20 start date concerning the position, she denies that she was told of the position's reclassification before February 20. Balser was scheduled to start work on February 19, 2008. However, she called in sick that day, fearing other employees' and union members' reactions, and did not punch in to the Zyglo Sorter position until February 20, 2008. On February 19, Balser expressed her concerns to Sampson. The parties dispute the content of that conversation. Specifically, Sampson testified that during that conversation, he again informed Balser that GE had reclassified the Zyglo Sorter position from permanent to temporary. Although Balser asserts Sampson never informed her she was filling a temporary position and that she always believed it was permanent before starting work on February 20, Balser also (confusingly) testified that on February 19 she spoke with Sampson who recommended that she accept the Zyglo Sorter position as temporary. Balser also subsequently submitted a grievance form on April 2, 2008, prepared by a Union official, Gary Poland (Poland), in which she stated that Sampson notified her on February 19, 2008 that the job was no longer permanent and that it was temporary. At deposition, Balser didn't know why she had submitted a grievance with information that she now alleges was incorrect. Construing the facts in Balser's favor, as we must, we accept that when she started work on February 20, 2008, Balser did not have actual knowledge as to GE's reclassification of the Zyglo Sorter position, and that, at the very least, Balser and Sampson had some form of communication concerning the position on February 19, 2008.