[ v15 p558 ]
15:0558(117)AR
The decision of the Authority follows:
15 FLRA No. 117 OFFICE OF HEARINGS AND APPEALS, SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, ARLINGTON, VIRGINIA Activity and AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, COUNCIL 215, AFL-CIO Union Case No. O-AR-752 ORDER DISMISSING EXCEPTIONS This matter is before the Authority at this time on exceptions to the ruling of Arbitrator Robert Bennett Lubic filed by the Union. For the reasons stated below, it has been determined that the Union's exceptions are interlocutory and must be dismissed. In response to a request by the Agency, which was opposed by the Union, the Arbitrator ruled that the Agency could have access to his copy of the transcript of the arbitration hearing with certain conditions. The Union then filed the instant exceptions to the Arbitrator's ruling. Section 2429.11 of the Authority's Rules and Regulations provides: "The Authority and the General Counsel ordinarily will not consider interlocutory appeals." That is, the Authority ordinarily will not consider an appeal until a final decision has been rendered on the entire proceeding. See, e.g., U.S. Customs Service and National Treasury Employees Union, 14 FLRA No. 72 (1984). In this case, it is clear that the Arbitrator has not rendered a final award. Rather, as indicated above, the Arbitrator simply ruled on an interlocutory request by the Agency for access to a copy of the transcript of the hearing. The Union's exceptions are therefore clearly interlocutory and the facts and circumstances presented are not so extraordinary as to warrant Authority review at this time. Accordingly, since the Union's exceptions are interlocutory and Authority review is not warranted under the circumstances, the exceptions are hereby dismissed. However, the dismissal is without prejudice to the renewal of any of the Union's contentions in exceptions duly filed with the Authority after a final award is rendered by the Arbitrator. For the Authority. Issued, Washington, D.C., August 16, 1984 Jan K. Bohren Executive Director/Administrator