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15:0206(39)AR
The decision of the Authority follows:
15 FLRA No. 39 FEDERAL EMPLOYEES METAL TRADES COUNCIL, AFL-CIO Union and PORTSMOUTH NAVAL SHIPYARD Activity Case No. O-AR-787 ORDER DISMISSING EXCEPTIONS This matter is before the Authority on exceptions to the award of Arbitrator John T. Conlon filed by the Union under 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 set forth below, the Authority is without jurisdiction to review the Union's exceptions and they must be dismissed on that basis. In the instant case, the Arbitrator found that the grievant's removal was for just cause and accordingly, as his award, denied the grievance. Section 7122(a) of the Statute provides in pertinent part: Either party to arbitration under this chapter may file with the Authority an exception to any arbitrator's award pursuant to the arbitration (other than an award relating to a matter described in section 7121(f) of this title). The matters described in section 7121(f) of the Statute include those covered under 5 U.S.C. 7512 which applies to specified adverse actions, including removals. Pursuant to section 7121(f), review of an arbitration award relating to such matters must be obtained in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 7703, i.e., in the same manner and under the same conditions as judicial review of a final decision of the Merit Systems Protection Board. Since the Arbitrator's award relates to a matter covered by 5 U.S.C. 7512, the removal of the grievant, under section 7122(a) of the Statute the Authority is without jurisdiction to review the Union's exceptions. Rather, the grievant may seek judicial review of the Arbitrator's award pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 7703. Accordingly, and apart from other considerations, the Union's exceptions are hereby dismissed. For the Authority. Issued, Washington, D.C., June 29, 1984 Harold D. Kessler, Director, Case Management