Pubdate: Fri, 26 Aug 2005
Source: Chronicle Herald (CN NS)
Copyright: 2005 The Halifax Herald Limited
Contact:  http://www.herald.ns.ca/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/180
Author: Patricia Brooks Arenburg
Bookmark: http://www.mapinc.org/mjcn.htm (Cannabis - Canada)

WORKER FIRED FOR ALLEGEDLY SMOKING DOPE IS SUING UNION

A former water commission worker is suing his union, claiming it did 
nothing to help him when he was fired for allegedly smoking dope on the job.

Miles Crawley of Dartmouth was working for the Halifax Regional Water 
Commission, maintaining and repairing water lines and working on heavy 
equipment, when he was fired on Feb. 18.

"The employer alleged that (Mr. Crawley) had been smoking marijuana on the 
job," says the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

He "denied smoking or ingesting any illegal substances on the job."

Mr. Crawley appealed to his union, Canadian Union of Public Employees, 
Local 227.

The union filed a grievance on his behalf, "alleging unjust dismissal and 
violation of the collective agreement," the claim says. It also demanded 
the water commission produce evidence to substantiate its claims and 
arranged to have a dismissal hearing for Mr. Crawley.

But the union withdrew the grievance, the lawsuit says. The document 
doesn't explain why this was done.

Mr. Crawley claims the union "failed to represent him in good faith," was 
negligent and breached its duty of fair representation. "As a result (Mr. 
Crawley) has suffered, and continues to suffer, damages and loss of wages, 
benefits, mental distress, and loss of employment and career 
opportunities," the document says.

Mr. Crawley is seeking damaged for negligence and breach of duty, general 
damages for mental distress, special damaged and further relief ordered by 
the court.

A CUPE local spokesman had no comment Thursday, and Mr. Crawley would not 
speak to the media without the permission of his lawyer, who could not be 
reached Thursday.
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MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom