B-160572, MAR. 27, 1968

B-160572, MAR. 27, 1968

TO MRS. A. E. DAZELL:

WE REFER TO YOUR LETTER OF MARCH 5, 1968, REFERENCE 2-363, REQUESTING AN ADVANCE DECISION OF OUR OFFICE AS TO WHETHER YOU MAY CERTIFY FOR PAYMENT A VOUCHER REPRESENTING 129 ADDITIONAL HOURS OF OVERTIME COMPENSATION IN THE CASE OF GEORGE TAYLOR, A FORMER WAGE BOARD EMPLOYEE AT THE BUREAU OF RECLAMATION'S TOYON JOB CORPS CENTER.

FOLLOWING RECEIPT OF OUR DECISION OF JANUARY 31, 1967, B-160572, THE BUREAU COMPENSATED MR. TAYLOR FOR 91 HOURS OF OVERTIME COVERING HIS DUTIES AS ASSISTANT PROCTOR IN THE DORMITORIES AT THE CENTER DURING THE PERIOD MAY 27, 1965, TO JULY 25, 1965. MR. TAYLOR FELT THAT HE WAS ENTITLED TO ADDITIONAL OVERTIME COMPENSATION AND REQUESTED A GRIEVANCE HEARING.

A BOARD COMPOSED OF TWO UNION REPRESENTATIVES AND TWO BUREAU EMPLOYEES AFTER SEVERAL DAYS OF HEARINGS ARRIVED AT A DETERMINATION THAT MR. TAYLOR HAD ACTUALLY PERFORMED 220 HOURS OF OVERTIME. YOUR ATTACHED VOUCHER FOR $808.06 REPRESENTS COMPENSATION FOR AN ADDITIONAL 129 OVERTIME HOURS (220 HOURS LESS THE 91 HOURS PREVIOUSLY COMPENSATED).

WE NOTE THAT THE FINDING OF THE GRIEVANCE BOARD WAS PREDICATED UPON CONSIDERABLE DOCUMENTARY EVIDENCE AND MUCH TESTIMONY RESPECTING WORK ASSIGNMENTS AND OVERTIME AT THE CENTER. THEREFORE, WE SEE NO OBJECTION TO ACCEPTANCE OF THE BOARD'S FINDING THAT MR. TAYLOR WORKED A TOTAL OF 220 HOURS OVERTIME DURING THE PERIOD IN QUESTION.

ACCORDINGLY, AND ASSUMING THAT THE ADDITIONAL OVERTIME WORK HAS BEEN OR WILL BE APPROVED BY AN OFFICER HAVING AUTHORITY TO DO SO, THE VOUCHER, WHICH IS RETURNED HEREWITH, MAY BE CERTIFIED FOR PAYMENT.