FSD 15 - Overweight

The grievor sought waiver of overweight charges on a shipment of effects to posts abroad.

The employee was cross posted from one post to another in 1985. The estimates on weight prepared by the three moving companies consulted were 7000 lbs., about 7,500 lbs. and 15,000 lbs. The grievor's weight entitlement was 8030 lbs. plus 20% for packing material.

The grievor's personal effects were packed at the end of July, 1985 prior to the grievor's departure from post, and were airshipped after his departure on August 4, 1985. The moving company did not advise the grievor of the actual weight of the shipment prior to his departure from post.

The gross weight of the shipment was 11,787 lbs, which was 2151 lbs over the entitlement. The department has assessed the cost of the excess weight against the employee.

The Administrative Committee considered the report of the Foreign Service Committee and noted that the Committee concluded that there was fault on each side in permitting the excess weight shipment to be sent from the original post in that it was not considered credible that the grievor had been totally unaware of the overweight nature of his shipment. However, it was also considered that the department had been administratively lax in not ensuring that the shipment of personal effects was weighed prior to it being air freighted, and the grievor informed.

The Administrative Committee agreed with the report of the Foreign Service Directives Committee in that the grievor had to bear some financial responsibility for the excess weight, but could not be considered to be fully responsible. The Administrative Committee further agreed that the grievor should be reimbursed an amount equal to half the overweight charges in excess of the sea shipment costs.

To the extent that the above meets the corrective action sought the grievance was upheld.