[ v08 p156 ]
08:0156(32)CU
The decision of the Authority follows:
[Not Certified True Copy] 8 FLRA No. 32 AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 2094 (Union) and VETERANS ADMINISTRATION MEDICAL CENTER (Activity) Case No. 0-AR-254 ORDER DISMISSING EXCEPTIONS THIS MATTER IS BEFORE THE AUTHORITY ON EXCEPTIONS TO THE AWARD OF ARBITRATOR JANET MALESON SPENCER FILED BY THE UNION UNDER SECTION 7122(A) OF THE FEDERAL SERVICE LABOR-MANAGEMENT RELATIONS STATUTE (5 U.S.C. 7122(A)). FOR THE REASON SET FORTH BELOW, THE AUTHORITY IS WITHOUT JURISDICTION TO REVIEW AND THE UNION'S EXCEPTIONS MUST THEREFORE BE DISMISSED. 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). AS RELEVANT TO THIS CASE, THE MATTERS DESCRIBED IN SECTION 7121(F) OF THE STATUTE INCLUDE THOSE COVERED UNDER 5 U.S.C. 7512 WHICH, IN TURN, SETS FORTH SPECIFIED ADVERSE ACTIONS INCLUDING REMOVALS. REVIEW OF AN ARBITRATION AWARD INVOLVING AN ADVERSE ACTION UNDER 5 U.S.C. 7512 MUST BE OBTAINED IN THE SAME MANNER AND UNDER THE SAME CONDITIONS AS REVIEW OF A FINAL DECISION OF THE MERIT SYSTEMS PROTECTION BOARD PURSUANT TO 5 U.S.C. 7703. (5 U.S.C. 7703 PROVIDES FOR JUDICIAL REVIEW OF MSPB DECISIONS.) BECAUSE THE INSTANT ARBITRATION AWARD INVOLVES AN ADVERSE ACTION COVERED BY 5 U.S.C. 7512, I.E., A REMOVAL ACTION, THE AWARD IS NOT SUBJECT TO AUTHORITY REVIEW UNDER 5 U.S.C. 7122(A). RATHER, REVIEW OF THE AWARD MUST BE SOUGHT PURSUANT TO 5 U.S.C. 7703. THE AUTHORITY THEREFORE DOES NOT HAVE JURISDICTION TO REVIEW THE ARBITRATION AWARD HERE INVOLVED. (SEE, E.G., ARMY AND AIR FORCE EXCHANGE SERVICE, FORT HOOD EXCHANGE AND AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, AFL-CIO, LOCAL 1920, 7 FLRA NO. 57 (DECEMBER 18, 1981), AND CASE CITED THEREIN.) ACCORDINGLY, IT IS ORDERED THAT THE UNION'S EXCEPTIONS IN THIS CASE BE, AND THEY HEREBY ARE, DISMISSED. FOR THE AUTHORITY. ISSUED, WASHINGTON, D.C., FEBRUARY 19, 1982 JAMES J. SHEPARD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR