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48:1360(141)AR - - HUD , Washington, D.C. and AFGE, Local 476 - - 1994 FLRAdec AR - - v48 p1360



[ v48 p1360 ]
48:1360(141)AR
The decision of the Authority follows:


48 FLRA No. 141

FEDERAL LABOR RELATIONS AUTHORITY

WASHINGTON, D.C.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND URBAN DEVELOPMENT

WASHINGTON, D.C.

(Agency)

and

AMERICAN FEDERATION OF GOVERNMENT EMPLOYEES

LOCAL 476

(Union)

0-AR-2555

ORDER DISMISSING EXCEPTIONS

January 7, 1994

The Agency has filed exceptions to the award of Arbitrator Joseph M. Sharnoff in the above-captioned case. On December 3, 1993, the Authority directed the Agency to show cause why its exceptions should not be dismissed as untimely filed. The Agency filed a timely response to the Authority's Order. For the reasons set out below, the Agency's exceptions must be dismissed.

The time limit for filing exceptions to an arbitration award is 30 days beginning on the date the award is served on the filing party. 5 C.F.R. § 2425.1(b). The date of service is the date the arbitration award is deposited in the U.S. mail or is delivered in person. 5 C.F.R. § 2429.27(d). If the award is served by mail, 5 days are added to the period for filing exceptions to the award. 5 C.F.R. § 2429.22. The time limit may not be extended or waived by the Authority. 5 C.F.R. § 2429.23(d).

The Arbitrator's award was served (postmarked) on the Agency October 26, 1993. Response to Show Cause at 1. Accordingly, the 30-day period for the Agency to file exceptions to the award began on October 26, l993, and expired on November 24, l993. 5 C.F.R. § 2425.1(b). Because the award was served by mail, 5 additional days were added to the due date. 5 C.F.R. § 2429.22. Therefore, any exception to the award had to be either postmarked by the U.S. Postal Service or received in person at the Authority no later than November 29, 1993, in order to be timely filed. The Agency's exceptions were dated and filed (personal delivery) with the Authority on November 30, 1993.

The Agency argues that adding 5 days after the prescribed period for filing exceptions to the Arbitrator's award, as authorized by section 2429.22 of the Authority's Regulations, effectively extends the prescribed 30-day period and presents a conflict between the Authority's Regulations and section 7122(b) of the Federal Service Labor-Management Relations Statute. 5 U.S.C. § 7122(b).

The Agency's argument cannot be sustained. The Authority has consistently rejected such arguments. See Federal Trade Commission, Headquarters, Washington, D.C. and American Federation of Government Employees, Local 2211, 34 FLRA 14, 15 (1989). See also U.S. Department of the Air Force, Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill Air Force Base, Utah, 46 FLRA 1297, 1301 (1993). Adding the 5-day allowance to the "prescribed period" does not extend the prescribed period for filing documents but rather is an allowance for mail service.

The Agency's exceptions were not timely filed. As the time limit for filing exceptions may not be extended or waived by the Authority, the Agency's exceptions are dismissed.

For the Authority.

____________________________
Alicia N. Columna
Director, Case Control Office




FOOTNOTES:
(If blank, the decision does not have footnotes.)