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63 FLRA No. 22
AMERICAN FEDERATION
OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES
LOCAL 2119
(Union)
and
UNITED STATES
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY
ROCK ISLAND ARSENAL
ROCK ISLAND, ILLINOIS
(Agency)
0-AR-4338
_____
DECISION
January 9, 2009
_____
Before the Authority: Thomas M. Beck, Chairman and
Carol Waller Pope, Member
This matter is before the Authority on exceptions to an award of Arbitrator Susan R. Meredith filed by the Union under § 7122(a) of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute (the Statute) and part 2425 of the Authority's Regulations. The Agency filed an opposition to the Union's exceptions. [n*]
Under § 7122(a) of the Statute, an award is deficient if it is contrary to any law, rule, or regulation, or it is deficient on other grounds similar to those applied by Federal courts in private sector labor-management relations. Upon careful consideration of the entire record in this case and Authority precedent, the Authority concludes that the award is not deficient on the grounds raised in the exceptions and set forth in § 7122(a). See United States Dep't of Veterans Affairs, Med. Ctr., N. Chi., Ill., 52 FLRA 387, 398 (1996) (award not deficient because of bias on the part of an arbitrator where excepting party fails to demonstrate that the award was procured by improper means, that there was partiality or corruption on the part of the arbitrator, or that the arbitrator engaged in misconduct that prejudiced the rights of the party); AFGE, Local 1668, 50 FLRA 124, 126 (1995) (award not deficient on ground that arbitrator failed to provide a fair hearing where excepting party fails to demonstrate that the arbitrator refused to hear or consider pertinent and material evidence, or that other actions in conducting the proceeding so prejudiced a party so as to affect the fairness of the proceeding as a whole); United States Dep't of Labor (OSHA), 34 FLRA 573, 575 (1990) (award not deficient as failing to draw its essence from the parties' collective bargaining agreement where excepting party fails to establish that the award cannot in any rational way be derived from the agreement; is so unfounded in reason and fact and so unconnected to the wording and purpose of the agreement as to manifest an infidelity to the obligation of the arbitrator; does not represent a plausible interpretation of the agreement; or evidences a manifest disregard of the agreement).
Accordingly, the Union's exceptions are denied.
The Agency's opposition, which was due February 21, 2008, was filed February 22, 2008. Accordingly, the opposition is untimely and has not been considered. See AFGE, Local 2274, 60 FLRA 229, 229 n.* (2004); 5 C.F.R. § 2429.21(b).