Opinion ID: 8704898
Heading Depth: 3
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Underlying events and the RLA proceeding

Text: Larry L. Koger was employed by NSR as a conductor, and worked under a CBA between NSR and UTU, Roger’s labor union. Compl. ¶ 18. On July 29, 2007, Koger failed to alert an engineer to stop at a red signal, in violation of NSR’s operating rules. Compl. ¶ 19. The locomotive the engineer was driving ran the signal, struck a derailing device, derailed, and was damaged. Id. On August 8, 2007, NSR conducted a formal investigational hearing in accordance with the CBA to determine Roger’s responsibility in connection with the locomotive passing the signal, and determined that he was responsible. Compl. ¶ 20. On August 21, 2007, NSR dismissed Koger from service for his responsibility in allowing the locomotive to run through the red signal. Id. Roger’s representative from UTU appealed his dismissal within NSR, but it was affirmed. Compl. ¶ 21. Koger then challenged his dismissal in arbitration before Public Law Board No. 5944 (“PLB 5944”), as provided in his CBA. Compl. ¶ 22. PLB 5944 is an open, ongoing arbitration board created by NSR and UTU pursuant to RLA § 3 Second, 45 U.S.C. § 153 Second. Id. PLB 5944 consists of a partisan railroad member, a partisan union member, and a neutral chairman, who is compensated by the NMB. Id. On January 8, 2008, PLB 5944 issued an interim award, which directed that Koger be returned to service, but deferred a final determination of the propriety of NSR’s assessment of discipline against Koger. Compl. ¶ 23. On July 28, 2008, PLB 5944 issued its final award, which upheld NSR’s assessment of discipline, but modified the extent of the discipline by reducing it from a dismissal to an unpaid suspension from service for an extended period of time. Compl. ¶ 24.