Pubdate: Mon, 10 Nov 2003
Source: Daily Herald-Tribune, The (CN AB)
Copyright: 2003 The Daily Herald-Tribune
Contact:  http://www.dailyheraldtribune.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/804

RANDOM JOB-SITE TESTING IDEA WORRIES UNION, HUMAN RIGHTS BODY

EDMONTON (CP) - The concept of random drug testing of employees in some 
industries could be running into opposition from organized labour and the 
Alberta Human Rights Commission.

Cabinet and caucus will review a report this month from a committee 
developing options for dealing with impairment from alcohol and drugs on 
job sites.

Les Steel, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, said the 
government shouldn't even be considering allowing companies to conduct 
random tests.

''We think it's just an infringement on people's rights,'' Steel said.

''There's other ways to tackle these issues. It will have to be done in a 
way that it's not punitive, a way of trying to help people out in dealing 
with their problem.''

Steel said he originally was a member of the provincial committee, which 
also includes representatives of industry and government, but withdrew once 
his AFL members decided at a May 2003 convention that they were against 
increased testing.

Louise Borle of the Alberta Human Rights Commission said laws guiding 
employer testing of employees are still developing.

''You can be in a safety-sensitive position, but it doesn't mean that the 
employer has full rights to random test you,'' she said.

Chris Chodan, a spokesman for Human Resources and Employment, said the idea 
is just at a preliminary stage.

He would not reveal what jobs it could affect.
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MAP posted-by: Keith Brilhart