POSSIBLE MILL WORKERS ON DRUGS, SAY UNION

A union official yesterday acknowledged employees at a West Otago sawmill
may be under the influence of drugs while at work.

National Distribution Union (NDU) wood sector Otago-Southland organiser
Andrea Rushton said she would meet management of Tapanui's Blue Mountain
Lumber to discuss ways to solve the problem.

A hidden camera in a unisex toilet cubicle was discovered at the mill last
week. The camera was apparently installed to catch employees using
marijuana in the toilet.

Following outrage from its employees, the company insisted on Wednesday the
camera had never been switched on and admitted it had not been a good idea.

Management had since apologised to the 255 employees on site.

Ernslaw One managing director Thomas Song said yesterday he believed there
was a serious drug problem at the mill.

Blue Mountain Lumber is a division of Ernslaw One.

Mr Song said management had tried to protect the interests of all employees
but was frustrated by a few irresponsible people.

"We have a drug rehabilitation programme available to staff," Mr Song said
from Auckland.

"If a staff member has a problem and needs help, then we try to help as
much as we can. But at the end of the day, it's up to each employee."

Ms Rushton admitted yesterday some workers at Blue Mountain Lumber could
use marijuana at work.

"I believe it's the minority, but even if it's only one or two people then
we have a big problem, because of the dangerous equipment everyone is
using," Ms Rushton said.

"It's a dangerous industry . . . and obviously we want to fix the problem."

Drug use was an issue throughout the industry, she said.

As a result, the NDU had initiated a programme called "Not at Work, Mate",
designed to help timber sector workers deal with drug and alcohol problems.

"We will meet with Blue Mountain Lumber management next Wednesday to talk
about the programme and what we can do to reduce the problem," she said.

"The programme is a much better way of dealing with the issue than video
surveillance and drug-testing."

Ms Rushton expects NDU lawyers to provide a list of options for employee
action over the hidden camera on Monday.

Options are believed to include action under the Privacy Act and possible
compensation.

"We will then meet with our delegates to come up with a timetable for
members to consider their legal avenues from there," she said.