[ v09 p146 ]
09:0146(18)AR
The decision of the Authority follows:
9 FLRA No. 18 AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, LOCAL 3159 (Union) and DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, REGION IX (Activity) Case No. 0-AR-392 ORDER DISMISSING EXCEPTIONS THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE AUTHORITY ON EXCEPTIONS TO THE AWARD OF ARBITRATOR ARMON BARSAMIAN FILED BY THE UNION PURSUANT TO SECTION 7122(A) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE AND SECTION 2425.1 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS. FOR THE REASONS STATED BELOW, THE UNION'S EXCEPTIONS MUST BE DISMISSED AS UNTIMELY FILED. UNDER SECTION 7122(B) OF THE STATUTE AND SECTION 2425.1(B) OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS, THE TIME LIMIT FOR FILING AN EXCEPTION TO AN ARBITRATION AWARD IS THIRTY DAYS BEGINNING ON AND INCLUDING THE DATE ON THE AWARD. ADDITIONALLY, UNDER SECTION 2429.21 OF THE RULES AND REGULATIONS, WHENEVER THE REGULATIONS REQUIRE THE FILING OF A DOCUMENT, SUCH DOCUMENT MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE AUTHORITY BEFORE THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON THE LAST DAY OF THE TIME LIMIT. THE ARBITRATOR'S AWARD IN THIS CASE, AS INCLUDED IN THE UNION'S SUBMISSION, IS DATED APRIL 21, 1982. THEREFORE, UNDER THE ABOVE-CITED PROVISIONS, THE UNION'S EXCEPTIONS WERE DUE IN THE NATIONAL OFFICE OF THE AUTHORITY BEFORE THE CLOSE OF BUSINESS ON MAY 20, 1982. WHILE IT APPEARS THAT THE UNION SOUGHT TO ACCOMPLISH TIMELY FILING BY ARRANGING WITH A COMMERCIAL COURIER ON MAY 20, 1982, FOR DELIVERY TO THE AUTHORITY, THE EXCEPTIONS WERE NOT ACTUALLY DELIVERED UNTIL MAY 21, 1982. IN THAT REGARD, THE AUTHORITY IS NOT EMPOWERED TO WAIVE OR EXTEND THE TIME LIMIT FOR FILING EXCEPTIONS TO ARBITRATION AWARDS. ACCORDINGLY, AS THE UNION'S EXCEPTIONS WERE UNTIMELY FILED, THE EXCEPTIONS ARE HEREBY DISMISSED. FOR THE AUTHORITY. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 23, 1982 JAMES J. SHEPARD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR