[ v09 p928 ]
09:0928(131)AR
The decision of the Authority follows:
9 FLRA No. 131 DEFENSE MAPPING AGENCY, HYDROGRAPHIC/TOPOGRAPHIC CENTER Activity and AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 3407, AFL-CIO Union Case No. O-AR-387 DECISION THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE AUTHORITY ON EXCEPTIONS TO THE AWARD OF ARBITRATOR J. HARVEY DALY FILED BY THE UNION UNDER SECTION 7122(A) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (THE STATUTE) AND PART 2425 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE ACTIVITY FILED AN OPPOSITION. THE DISPUTE IN THIS MATTER CONCERNS THE ACTIVITY'S FILLING OF POSITIONS UNDER POSITION VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENTS (PVA) 80-243 AND 81-75. GRIEVANCES WERE FILED ON BEHALF OF TWO EMPLOYEES THAT WERE ULTIMATELY SUBMITTED TO ARBITRATION CLAIMING THAT THE PROCEDURES USED IN FILLING THESE POSITIONS WERE CONTRARY TO GOVERNING REGULATIONS. AT THE OUTSET THE ARBITRATOR DETERMINED THAT THE GRIEVANCE RELATING TO PVA 80-243 WAS NOT TIMELY FILED AND THEREFORE WAS NOT ARBITRABLE. AS HIS AWARD ON THE MERITS, THE ARBITRATOR DETERMINED THAT THE GRIEVANTS HAD BEEN PROPERLY CONSIDERED WITH RESPECT TO PVA 81-75 AND THAT THEY SHOULD NOT BE GRANTED PRIORITY CONSIDERATION. THE UNION FILED EXCEPTIONS TO THE AWARD STATING ONLY THAT THE AWARD WAS DEFICIENT BECAUSE: 1. THE ARBITRATOR EXCEEDED HIS AUTHORITY. 2. THE AWARD WAS NOT BASED UPON THE CLEARLY PROVEN FACTS PRESENTED AT THE HEARING. 3. THE ARBITRATOR WAS BIASED AND FAILED TO CONDUCT A FAIR HEARING BY REFUSING TO HEAR AND ACCEPT PERTINENT AND MATERIAL EVIDENCE. IN CONJUNCTION WITH THIS STATEMENT, THE UNION REQUESTED AN EXTENSION OF TIME TO JUNE 7, 1982 TO FILE A BRIEF CONTAINING ARGUMENTS AND CITATIONS OF AUTHORITY IN SUPPORT OF THE STATED GROUNDS IN THE EXCEPTIONS. HOWEVER, NO SUCH BRIEF WAS FILED. BECAUSE THE BARE STATEMENT OF GROUNDS IN THE UNION'S EXCEPTIONS FAILS TO DEMONSTRATE IN WHAT MANNER THE AWARD IS DEFICIENT AS ASSERTED BY THE UNION, THE UNION'S EXCEPTIONS PROVIDE NO BASIS FOR FINDING THE AWARD DEFICIENT UNDER SECTION 7122(A)(2) OF THE STATUTE. CONSEQUENTLY, THE UNION'S EXCEPTIONS ARE DENIED. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., AUGUST 16, 1982 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY