Opinion ID: 548940
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 2

Heading: The Adelman Arbitration

Text: 17 In his opinion, Adelman rejected the Union's position that the three incidents never occurred, and found that they all happened as described in the testimony of Waters' co-workers. Adelman stated: 18 [T]here is no doubt that the actions by Mr. Waters in moving his hand down [one co-worker's] back from her rib cage to her waist, in slapping, or patting, [another co-worker] on her rear end, and in slamming into [a third's] back was conduct that violated both the composing room office rules and Newsday's policy against harassing, abusive or intimidating behavior. This conduct was quite offensive to the women involved, and clearly constitutes harassment under Newsday's policy, as well as interference with the business of the office under the rules of the composing room. 19 With regard to the appropriate penalty, Adelman rejected the Union's contentions that the incidents involving Waters were minor in nature, and that Newsday used the incidents as a pretext for discharging an employee with a job guarantee. Adelman added that the incidents were serious, and of the type which Newsday has properly attempted to eliminate from its work place. 20 Nonetheless, Adelman decided that Waters was not discharged for just cause. Although Adelman found [t]he fact that Mr. Waters has engaged in similar conduct in the past for which he was disciplined is significant, especially considering the serious nature of his conduct, he added, these offenses are not ones that call for immediate discharge; instead, such offenses call for the application of progressive discipline. Adelman acknowledged that Waters had been subject to discipline in 1983; he stated that if Waters had been disciplined after either of the two previously-unreported incidents, then discharge might have been appropriate following the 1988 incident. He concluded that it would be inappropriate and contrary to the concept of progressive discipline to uphold Waters' discharge. He stated: 21 At this point, Mr. Waters must understand that he has engaged in conduct that is unacceptable in the workplace, that he is treading on dangerously thin ice, and that any similar offensive behavior shall be grounds for his immediate discharge. 22 Adelman ruled that Waters, upon passing a medical examination, should be reinstated without back pay.