DRUG TESTING STARTS IN CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY

MILWAUKEE (AP) -- A random drug testing program is underway for thousands
of construction trade workers in southeastern Wisconsin.

The drug testing plan, billed as a national prototype, covers 7, 500
construction trades workers, and an undisclosed number of non-union office
workers, at companies in Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha and Milwaukee counties.

About 30 union carpenters and at least one non-union manager participated
in the first test last week after they were selected at random by computer.
They are notified through their employers and given a few hours to report
for testing.

"Everybody who was supposed to be there was there, and it went smoothly, "
said Ed Hayden, executive vice president of the Allied Construction
Employers Association in Brookfield.

The union-management agreement calls for urine, blood and breath tests for
alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and other drugs. Results of the testing, done
by a Pewaukee lab, are confidential.

Workers who test positive are guaranteed 30 days of unpaid leave for
substance-abuse treatment and can return to work if they pass a new test.

Those employees who decline treatment may be suspended or fired.