Wow. Big move in the right direction? The construction industry in BC is now, with union consent, moving towards mandatory drug testing. I guess everyone on site wants to be sure that the crane operator and the guy in the big dump truck backing up next to them are appreciating the situation with all faculties firing in a linear non-substance enhanced manner. No wobbly pops or slow slide for these boys. Although, I do have to say when the crane work being done by a pro like J. Robson no one needs to worry. I think That it is important to know the quality and kind of the proffesionals hirede on site, getting good guys with good repuattions is always going to give invaluable piece of mind to all.

See articles here, here and here for a brief outline of how all this will go down. Here is the BC Federation of Labour’s take on drug testing. Finally, take a look at the policy.

From the brief look at the matter it appears that the policy largely fits into the present legal framework on safety sensitive position drug testing. It’s a fine balance that has to be struck when the matter involves relatively invasive personal privacy intrusions as the policy lays out. Other industries, including the Vancouver Port Workers, should watch this closely. The US trucking industry seems to have survived, and my bet is that the construction industry also will.

Assuming that the program works, this type of agreement between management and union has got to be one of the first of its kind, especially in BC. Another big move in the right direction.