Drug testing-what's the deal?

As the Iron Ore Company of Canada makes moves towards mandatory drug testing of workers on its project, the Steelworkers want an awful lot more information before the policy gets the nod from the union.

"There was a hearing a couple of weeks ago before an arbitrator on this issue and we should hear something back in a couple of weeks," said George Kean, president of the Local 5795 USW. "What I want to say, first off is, the Steelworkers have zero tolerance, zero tolerance, for alcohol and drug use in the workplace. And, if we knew of and were aware of any of our members using or under the influence of drugs or alcohol in the workplace we would go in and remove them from the workplace and give them any assistance necessary."

Incomplete policy

Kean said he has many questions surrounding the process the company wants to implement, questions, he said, he cannot get answers to.

"It's inconceivable that an employer would come out with a policy that's incomplete and employees don't know what to expect," said the union boss. "We are getting these questions [from the membership] and we have no answers to give them. When we ask the company they say, 'we don't know yet' so that's disappointing."

Kean says the union has issues with the company bringing in a policy such as drug testing and the concern comes from the relationships between employees and management on the IOC project.

Favourtism issues

"There has been favouritism in the workplace and employees being treated in a disrespectful manner," Kean explained. "When, for example, employees bringing up concerns and speaking out about safety issues, they are put on the worst piece of equipment out there. Our issue with this drug testing is we want to make sure it's done fairly and without intimidation for our members. Your team leader could be sending you for a drug test just to keep you from complaining about safety issues. Our fear was this would be used to keep employees quiet rather than deal with employees that were actually under the influence of drugs and alcohol."

The union leader said the workplace has team leaders showing favouritism and less regard is being shown to senior members.

"For the past 50 years, for example, if new equipment came on the mine [site], it was always given to the senior operators with respect to their knowledge and experience," he said. "Today it's given to whomever the team leader likes best. To the one who complains less, so if you are senior but you complain about safety, you don't get things like this. We have brought this up to the top of IOC about the favouritism that's shown in there and it is an intimidation that causes stress in the workplace. It's just not a fair way of doing things."

Kean says this is a legitimate complaint and more than 500 grievances filed lends credibility to management's disregard towards his membership and the collective agreement.

Okay for the new

All new employees (including summer students) having hair follicle testing as well as contract workers having to pass the same test are not a concern to Kean.

"No, we have no problem with that," he said. "We are disputing random testing of people already in there for a number of reasons. We don't know what type of testing they will be doing and another thing, there is no team leader in there qualified."

Kean said it hasn't been outlined what is considered under the influence and how much is considered unacceptable in whatever drug test, or what drug.

"If a fellow, for example, had a toke a month ago, we don't know if that will be held against him," Kean explained. "We don't know what signs they will be looking for. They came out with a [drug testing] policy that is not finished, so how can we agree to it when we don't know what kind of testing will be done for employees on site?"

Kean says he can't say there's been serious issues with drugs on the worksite and maintains in 50 years drugs or alcohol have not be linked to any accidents or tragedies in the workplace.

George Kean, president of USW Local 5795, says the union has an issue with IOC bringing in a drug testing policy simply because there are too many unanswered questions ranging from what type of testing will be done to who will be implementing it.

All new employees (including summer students) having hair follicle testing as well as contract workers having to pass the same test are not a concern to Kean.

"No, we have no problem with that," he said. "We are disputing random testing of people already in there for a number of reasons. We don't know what type of testing they will be doing and another thing, there is no team leader in there qualified."

Kean said it hasn't been outlined what is considered under the influence and how much is considered unacceptable in whatever drug test, or what drug.

"If a fellow, for example, had a toke a month ago, we don't know if that will be held against him," Kean explained. "We don't know what signs they will be looking for. They came out with a [drug testing] policy that is not finished, so how can we agree to it when we don't know what kind of testing will be done for employees on site?"

Kean says he can't say there's been serious issues with drugs on the worksite and maintains in 50 years drugs or alcohol have not be linked to any accidents or tragedies in the workplace.