10.2190/CN.32.2.c G7023PKV5J121R31 3 Is Incarceration a Good Enough Excuse for Missing Work? A Survey of Arbitration Decisions 117 131 20080613 20080613 20080613 20080613 G7023PKV5J121R31.pdf http://baywood.metapress.com/link.asp?target=contribution&id=G7023PKV5J121R31 2 William J. Walsh Illinois Wesleyan University, Bloomington This article examines arbitration cases published since 1992 involving the discipline or discharge of a unionized employee for absence when the reason for absence was the employee's incarceration (in jail or prison). The question addressed by each arbitrator was generally, "Did the employer have just cause to discharge or otherwise discipline the employee for failing to report for work under the given circumstances?" <i>Facility Management of Louisiana d/b/a The Louisiana Superdome [New Orleans, LA] and International Brotherhood of Teamsters, Local 270</i>; 106 Labor Arbitration Reports (BNA) 879-883; (1997) (O'Grady, Arbitrator). <i>USS, A Division of USX Corporation (Fairfield Works) and United Steelworkers of America, Local 1013</i>; 102 Labor Arbitration Reports (BNA) 652-656; (1994) (Dybeck, Arbitrator). <i>Hospital Central Services Cooperative, Inc. [Greensburg PA] and Laundry & Dry Cleaning International Union, Local 141</i>; 109 Labor Arbitration Reports (BNA) 785-793; (1998) (D'Eletto, Arbitrator). <i>Orpack-Stone Corporation [Herrin, IL], and International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, District Lodge 111, Local 554</i>; 102 Labor Arbitration Reports (BNA) 545-555; (1994) (Hilgert, Arbitrator). <i>United States Steel Mining Company, Shawnee No. 51 Mine and United Mine Workers of America District 29, Local Union 2426</i>; 93-1 Labor Arbitration Awards (CCH) ¶3198, (1993) (Rimmel, Arbitrator). <i>Dunlop Tire Corporation, Huntsville Plant [AL] and United Steelworkers of America, Local 915</i>; 93-1 Labor Arbitration Awards (CCH) ¶6276 (1993) (Teple, Arbitrator). <i>Mosinee [WI] Paper Corporation and United Paperworkers International Union, Local 316</i>; 104 Labor Arbitration Reports (BNA) 281-284; (1994) (Lundberg, Arbitrator). <i>Wichita Eagle and Beacon Publishing Co., Inc. and Wichita Graphic Communications Union, Local 147-C</i>; 99-2 Labor Arbitration Awards (CCH) ¶3118 (1993) (Thornell, Arbitrator). O. Fairweather, <i>Practice and Procedure in Labor Arbitration</i> (2nd Edition), The Bureau of National Affairs, Washington, D.C., 1983. <i>The Milwaukee Board of School Directors and The Milwaukee Teachers' Education Association; 97-2 Labor Arbitration Awards</i> (CCH) ¶3289 (1997) (Kessler, Arbitrator). <i>USS, A Division of USX Corporation (Fairfield Works) and United Steelworkers of America, Local 2122</i>; 107 Labor Arbitration Reports (BNA) 581-583; (1997) (Petersen, Arbitrator). <i>Indianapolis Water Company [Indianapolis, IN] and International Brotherhood of Fireman and Oilers, Local 131</i>; 102 Labor Arbitration Reports (BNA) 316-321, (1994) (Duff, Arbitrator). <i>Formica Corporation and International Brotherhood of Firemen & Oilers, Local 1401;</i> 94-1 Labor Arbitration Awards (CCH) ¶4288 (1994) (Fields, Arbitrator). <i>Appleton Papers Inc.—Spring Mill [Roaring Springs, PA] and United Paperworkers, Local 422</i>; 109 Labor Arbitration Reports (BNA) 413-416; (1998) (Duff, Arbitrator). F. Elkouri and E. A. Elkouri, <i>How Arbitration Works</i> (4th Edition), The Bureau of National Affairs, Inc., Washington, D.C., 1985. <i>Dickenson Press and Graphic Communications International Union, AFL-CIO, Local 550-M;</i> 93-I Labor Arbitration Awards (CCH) ¶3044 (1993) (Roumell, Arbitrator).