[ v15 p204 ]
15:0204(38)AR
The decision of the Authority follows:
15 FLRA No. 38 AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 3882 Union and FEDERAL PRISON SYSTEM, RAY BROOK, NEW YORK Activity Case No. O-AR-741 ORDER DISMISSING EXCEPTIONS This matter is before the Authority on exceptions to the award of Arbitrator Dale S. Beach filed on behalf of the Activity by the Department of Justice (the Agency) 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 Agency's exceptions and they must be dismissed on that basis. In the instant case, the Arbitrator found that the grievant's removal was not for just and sufficient cause and accordingly, as his award, reduced the discipline to a 60-day suspension and ordered the grievant reinstated. 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 and suspensions for more than 14 days. 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 under section 7122(a) of the Statute the Authority is without jurisdiction to review the Agency's exceptions. Rather, the Agency may seek judicial review of the Arbitrator's award pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 7703. Accordingly, and apart from other considerations, the Agency's exceptions are hereby dismissed. For the Authority. Issued, Washington, D.C., June 29, 1984 Harold D. Kessler, Director, Case Management