COMMITTEE REJECTS RANDOM DRUG TESTING FOR MADISON FIREFIGHTERS

The union president suggests an alternative: "drug testing for cause."

Random drug testing for Madison firefighters was nixed Tuesday by a City
Council committee, but the firefighters union president proposed a new drug
enforcement plan.

The Public Safety Review Board voted against council President Dorothy
Borchardt's proposal to include random drug tests as part of the city's
contract negotiations with the firefighters union. Firefighters have been
working under an expired contract since Jan. 1.

Random drug testing was proposed in the wake of allegations, uncovered
during the Jocko's Rocket Ship bar drug probe, that 11 firefighters may
have been involved in illegal drug use, including cocaine.

Firefighters Union Local 311 President Joe Conway opposes random drug
testing, as does Mayor Sue Bauman. Conway said Tuesday the union is willing
to adopt a "drug testing for cause" program that highlights drug education
and prevention.

"This comes right off the bargaining table," said Conway, who said contract
negotiations are not near closure. "This would take effect from when the
contract is signed until July 1, 2001."

Under Conway's proposal, firefighter officers would be trained to look for
impairment among co-workers and to report suspicions. Suspected users would
be tested and offered treatment.

Firefighters also would be taught how job performance and their personal
lives are affected by drug use, Conway said.

Assistant City Attorney Larry O'Brien, who has been involved in the union
negotiations, said he was "delighted the union is taking a pro-active stance."

However, O'Brien added that Conway's plan lacks the deterrent effect of
random drug testing.

Fire Chief Debra Amesqua, who supports random testing as part of a
substance abuse program, said drug testing is needed to quell the fears of
Madison residents that drug use is widespread in the department.

"I'm pleased that Local 311 wants to come to the table and work on the
issue," Amesqua said. "Our reputation is tarnished right now."

Both the city and union have said previously that it's too late in the
bargaining process to add new conditions to the firefighters' contracts.
However, Conway said the union's plan is necessary to assuage the public
and assure firefighter safety.

"We do not condone any sort of drug use by our members, but again, we're
not going to invade their private lives," Conway said.

Although the committee voted down Borchardt's plan, several other
committees and city agencies are still reviewing it.