Union awaits ruling on drug testing

Unifor hopes for injunction on random screens

EDMONTON A judge hearing an application from a union for an injunction to stop Suncor from starting random drug tests at oilsands facilities in northeastern Alberta is to make his ruling next Thursday.

Unifor Local 707A says such random testing would be a violation of the worker’s rights and privacy.

The union says Suncor Energy already tests workers who are involved in accidents.

Calgary-based Suncor has said random tests are needed to bolster safety at its work sites.

Suncor and the union have been battling over random drug tests since 2012, including at arbitration hearings and in court.

Unifor says it has also filed for leave to appeal to the Supreme Court an Alberta court ruling in September that was in favour of the energy giant.

Unifor Local 707A president Ken Smith said the case could set a precedent for other safety-sensitive workplaces.

“Random drug testing of workers that have done nothing wrong is a violation of their basic rights,” Smith said Thursday in a statement.

“We will work with Suncor to achieve the highest possible levels of workplace safety with education and prevention, not invasive medical procedures.”

Suncor officials were not immediately available for comment.