FIREFIGHTERS TO FACE DRUG TESTING

Cincinnati firefighters got a new contract Thursday, one that says
about a quarter of them will be randomly tested each year for alcohol
or drugs.

Firefighters - about 800 work for the city - initially rejected
the contract, but agreed after city officials changed the testing
wording to specify exactly how many. Those numbers: 80 for alcohol,
120 for drugs.

City Council members approved the contract. Members of the
International Association of Firefighters Local 48 already had.

The random alcohol testing is new, an idea City Manager Milton Dohoney
pushed because he said it gives extra proof to the public that
firefighters are ready for duty.

The contract says anyone found to have a blood-alcohol level of 0.04
or above faces discipline. That same amount was in the previous
contract, but only came into play in cases of firefighters tested
after accidents while operating fire equipment.

The contract, retroactive to June and good through June 2010, gives
the firefighters 3 percent raises in each of those years.

Vice Mayor David Crowley said he was surprised when firefighters
rejected the contract, albeit narrowly, the first time, but said he
was glad it took only minor tweaks to seal the deal.

Council members, including newly sworn-in former mayor Roxanne Qualls,
approved it unanimously.