[ v05 p3 ]
05:0003(1)RO
The decision of the Authority follows:
5 FLRA No. 1 DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE, SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, ILLINOIS (Activity) and LOCAL R7-23, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES (Union) Case No. 0-AR-210 (5 FLRA NO. 68) ORDER DENYING REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION THIS CASE IS BEFORE THE AUTHORITY FOR RULING ON A REQUEST FILED BY THE UNION SEEKING RECONSIDERATION OF THE AUTHORITY'S ORDER OF APRIL 29, 1981, DISMISSING THE UNION'S EXCEPTIONS TO THE ARBITRATOR'S AWARD AS UNTIMELY FILED (5 FLRA NO. 68(1981)). IN THE INSTANT CASE, THE SUBJECT ARBITRATION AWARD WAS DATED FEBRUARY 23, 1981. THUS, UNDER SECTION 7122(B) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (5 U.S.C. 7122(B)) AND SECTION 2425.1(B) OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS, THE UNION'S EXCEPTIONS WERE DUE IN THE OFFICE OF THE AUTHORITY NO LATER THAN MARCH 24, 1981, BUT WERE NOT FILED WITH THE AUTHORITY UNTIL MARCH 26, 1981. AS WAS NOTED IN THE AUTHORITY'S ORDER DISMISSING THE EXCEPTIONS, THE AUTHORITY IS NOT EMPOWERED TO EXTEND OR WAIVE THE TIME LIMIT FOR FILING EXCEPTIONS TO ARBITRATORS' AWARDS. IN THE REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION, THE UNION ARGUES THAT SECTION 2429.22 OF THE AUTHORITY'S RULES AND REGULATIONS SHOULD BE APPLIED TO THE TIME LIMIT FOR FILING EXCEPTIONS TO ARBITRATION AWARDS. SECTION 2429.22 STATES: WHENEVER A PARTY HAS THE RIGHT OR IS REQUIRED TO DO SOME ACT PURSUANT TO THIS SUBCHAPTER WITHIN A PRESCRIBED PERIOD AFTER SERVICE OF A NOTICE OR OTHER PAPER UPON SUCH PARTY, AND THE NOTICE OR PAPER IS SERVED ON SUCH PARTY BY MAIL, FIVE (5) DAYS SHALL BE ADDED TO THE PRESCRIBED PERIOD: . . . HOWEVER, AS THE AUTHORITY HAS PREVIOUSLY HELD, /1/ SECTION 2429.22 OF THE REGULATIONS APPLIES ONLY TO SITUATIONS IN WHICH A PARTY HAS THE RIGHT OR IS REQUIRED TO DO SOME ACT WITHIN A PRESCRIBED PERIOD AFTER SERVICE OF A NOTICE OR OTHER PAPER UPON SUCH PARTY AND, CONSEQUENTLY, DOES NOT APPLY TO THE ACT OF FILING EXCEPTIONS TO AN ARBITRATION AWARD PURSUANT TO SECTION 2425.1(B) OF THE REGULATIONS. THE TIME LIMIT PRESCRIBED IN SECTION 2425.1(B) IS NOT TRIGGERED BY, I.E., DOES NOT BEGIN TO RUN FROM, SERVICE OF THE ARBITRATOR'S AWARD, BUT RATHER, AS EXPRESSLY PROVIDED, BEGINS TO RUN ON THE DATE OF THE AWARD. ACCORDINGLY, SINCE THE UNION HAS ADVANCED NO PERSUASIVE REASONS FOR THE AUTHORITY TO RECONSIDER THE DECISION OF APRIL 29, 1981, IN THIS CASE, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED THAT THE REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION BE, AND IT HEREBY IS, DENIED. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., JUNE 24, 1982 RONALD W. HAUGHTON, CHAIRMAN HENRY B. FRAZIER III, MEMBER LEON B. APPLEWHAITE, MEMBER FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY --------------- FOOTNOTES$ --------------- /1/ NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL R14-87 AND THE ADJUTANT GENERAL OF KANSAS, KANSAS ARMY NATIONAL GUARD, 5 FLRA NO. 73(1981); REQUEST FOR RECONSIDERATION DENIED, JANUARY 15, 1982.