September 15, 2008

Letter to the Editor

Unions hiding behind privacy and rights

This letter is in response to a story entitled Unionized Workers Subject to Drug Policy that appeared in the Journal of Commerce on August 27, 2008.

To the editor

Thankfully not all unions hide behind “privacy issues” and “human rights protections” when it come to the implementation of drug free workplace programs, inclusive of comprehensive drug testing, education and employee assistance.  

Negligent union posturing against workplace drug testing is clearly due to concerns about loss of power, ignorance or a component of a thinly veiled bargaining strategy.

It is virtually impossible in today’s society to have a safe workplace without effective drug testing practices and failure to provide a safe workplace is not only ignorant, but unlawful on the part of corporate executives in both Canada and the U.S.

As the Alberta Court justices so clearly states in a recent court decision: “Extending human rights protections to situations resulting in placing the lives of others at risk flies in the face of logic,” the justices wrote.

Peter Cholakis

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