[ v15 p245 ]
15:0245(46)AR
The decision of the Authority follows:
15 FLRA No. 46 INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE, NEWARK DISTRICT OFFICE Activity and NATIONAL TREASURY EMPLOYEES UNION, CHAPTER 60 Union Case No. O-AR-766 ORDER DISMISSING EXCEPTIONS This matter is before the Authority on exceptions to the award of Arbitrator William J. Fallon filed by the Activity 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 Activity's exceptions and they must be dismissed on that basis. In this case, the Arbitrator found that the Activity's removal of the grievant was not for such cause as would promote the efficiency of the service and reduced the penalty to a 30-day suspension. The Arbitrator subsequently granted the Union's application for attorney fees. The Activity then filed the instant exceptions to the award of attorney's fees. 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, the removal of the grievant, under section 7122(a) of the Statute the Authority is without jurisdiction to review the Activity's exceptions. Rather, judicial review of the Arbitrator's award may be sought pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 7703. Accordingly, and apart from other considerations, the Activity's exceptions are hereby dismissed. For the Authority. Issued, Washington, D.C., July 5, 1984 Harold D. Kessler, Director, Case Management (ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION OF CASE No. O-AR-548) AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES, LOCAL 3234 Union and SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION, SIOUX CITY, IOWA Activity Case No. O-AR-548 ORDER DENYING MOTION FOR RECONSIDERATION This case is before the Authority on a motion for reconsideration filed by the Union on February 27, 1984, seeking reconsideration of the Authority's Decision and Order of February 7, 1984. For the reason set forth below, the motion must be denied. Section 2429.17 of the Authority's Rules and Regulatio4s, effective September 10, 1981, provides in pertinent part: 2429.17 Reconsideration. After a final decision or order of the Authority has been issued, a party to the proceeding before the Authority who can establish in its moving papers extraordinary circumstances for so doing, may move for reconsideration of such final decision or order. The motion shall be filed within 10 days after service of the Authority's decision or order . . . . The Authority's Decision and Order was dated and served on the union by mail on February 7, 1984. Therefore, under section 2429.17 of the Authority's Rules and Regulations, and sections 2429.21 and 2429.22, which are also applicable to the computation of the time limit here involved, the Union's motion for reconsideration was due in the national office of the Authority before the close of business on February 22, 1984. Since, as indicated above, the Union's motion was not filed until February 27, 1984, it is clearly untimely and must be denied. Accordingly, for the reason set forth above, IT IS ORDERED that the Union's motion for reconsideration in this case be, and it hereby is, denied. For the Authority. Issued, Washington, D.C., June 29, 1984 Harold D. Kessler, Director, Case Management