Board of Contract Appeals

                 General Services Administration

                      Washington, D.C. 20405







                        _________________



                         November 3, 2004

                        _________________





                         GSBCA 16492-TRAV





                  In the Matter of PAUL D. WHITE





     Paul D. White, Waveland, MS, Claimant.



     D. D. Lancaster, Comptroller, Naval Oceanographic Office, Department of the Navy,

Stennis Space Center, MS, appearing for Department of the Navy.



DeGRAFF, Board Judge.



     Claimant, Paul D. White, contends the agency incorrectly determined not to reimburse

him for lodging expenses while he was assigned to temporary duty aboard a Government

ship.  Mr. White is a bargaining unit member covered by the terms of a collective bargaining

agreement entered into by his union and the agency.  The agreement explains how to

determine whether an employee is entitled to be reimbursed for lodging expenses while

assigned to temporary duty aboard a Government ship.  Labor/Management Agreement

AFGE Local 1028 art. 24,   13 (Aug. 2003).  The agreement provides the exclusive procedure

available to bargaining unit members for resolving grievances, including complaints

concerning the interpretation of the agreement and concerning claims of breach of the

agreement.  Id., art. 6,    2, 3.



     When a claim for travel or relocation expenses is subject to resolution under the terms

of a grievance procedure mandated within a collective bargaining agreement, this Board

lacks the authority to settle the claim using our administrative procedures unless the

agreement explicitly and clearly excludes the claim from its procedures.  Benjamin P. Wood,

GSBCA 16255-TRAV, 04-1 BCA   32,574 (citing cases).  According to the collective

bargaining agreement that covers Mr. White, the grievance procedure is the exclusive avenue

for redress available to him.  Accordingly, this claim is dismissed.







                                   __________________________________

                                   MARTHA H. DeGRAFF

                                   Board Judge