Pubdate: Mon, 15 Mar 2004
Source: Dispatch, The (IL)
Copyright: 2004 Moline Dispatch Publishing Company, L.L.C.
Contact:  http://www.qconline.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1306
Author: Tory Brecht , Staff writer
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/testing.htm (Drug Testing)

DRUG POLICY EXEMPTS POLICE, FIREFIGHTERS

Moline city employees who drive snow plows, garbage trucks, pothole 
patchers and other trucks are subject to random drug and alcohol testing. 
Those who drive fire trucks and police vehicles are not.

A 1995 federal law that requires holders of commercial drivers' licenses, 
or CDLs, to undergo testing exempted sworn fire and police department 
personnel.

J.D. Schulte, the city's loss control manager, said 82 of the city's 401 
employees occasionally have to give urine samples or undergo blood-alcohol 
tests.

If they test positive for marijuana or alcohol use, they are referred to an 
employee-assistance program and subject to a 30-day suspension on a first 
offense and dismissal after a second offense.

Use of harder drugs, such as cocaine or methamphetamines, can result in 
immediate dismissal, according to the city's drug-testing policy.

Although police officers and firefighters are not subject to random 
testing, they can be tested if supervisors have probable cause to suspect 
that an officer or firefighter is using drugs or alcohol.

A positive test in that case results in referral to an employee-assistance 
program. Neither group's contract with the city outlines further discipline 
for testing positive.

However, refusing to submit to the test can result in discipline, police 
and fire chief Steve Etheridge said.

Mr. Schulte believes the random testing makes Moline a safer place to work 
and drive.

"We have a responsibility to provide a drug-free work place," he said. 
"Employees are expected to report here, and be in the physical condition 
and ability to do the work. It's our intent to provide a safe work place 
for all employees and the public."

A fatal fire last month to which a firefighter allegedly drove an engine 
drunk has Mr. Schulte wondering if firefighters also should be randomly tested.

"Until recently, it hadn't been a concern," he said. "I'm not going to kid 
you any and tell you I haven't thought about it a lot over the past few 
weeks. This would be a great topic to bring up at their safety committee 
meetings."

Chief Etheridge said random drug and alcohol testing is something that 
"very well could be" discussed in negotiations for the next fire contract.

"Random testing has been discussed by many organizations," he said. "It 
would have to be negotiated with the union. I think it's something they'd 
be willing to discuss."

Representatives from International Association of Fire Fighters Local 581 
could not be reached for comment.

Ald. Mike Crotty, 6th Ward, said he brought up the lack of random testing 
for firefighters in an executive session after the fatal fire.

Ald. Crotty owns KVF-Quad Corp., a metal-finishing company, and requires 
all his workers to undergo random drug and alcohol testing once a year. "I 
feel it helps have a safer work environment," he said. "I would like to see 
it on the table when the (firefighter) negotiations come up again."

Ald. Dick Potter, a truck driver subjected to random testing, isn't sure 
it's necessary, but would like all Moline employees treated equally in 
regard to testing.

"I feel real uncomfortable with the shotgun approach where everyone is 
under a cloud of suspicion," he said. "But I think it should be an issue of 
a more level playing field."
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MAP posted-by: Terry Liittschwager