UNION COOL ON DRUG TESTS FOR MINERS

A proposal to encourage Tasmanian mining industry employers to conduct
random drug testing in the workplace has been criticised by the Australian
Manufacturing Workers Union.

The proposal was mooted by Australian Mines and Metal Association State
manager Bill Fitzgerald this week in response to a legal precedent set in
Queensland involving BHP.

Mr Fitzgerald has proposed that testing be introduced to protect employers'
liability.

While there have been no recorded cases of Tasmanian employers being held
liable for failing to conduct tests, this situation could change.

AMWU State secretary Geoff Adams said that if employers had identified
there was a drug and/or alcohol problem among employees then they should be
taking an active approach instead.

"The issue of drug testing is not about occupational health and safety but
about another mechanism for employers to exert power and control over
workers though a fear and intimidation campaign," Mr Adams said.

Mr Adams said that if employers were genuinely serious about duty of care
to their employees they would be developing the appropriate drug and
alcohol policies to try to address the situation before it became a problem.

He said that if testing were introduced, the concern was about where it
would stop.

"It raises serious ramifications about the invasion of employees' privacy,"
he said.

"It would also increase the ability of employers to control the lives of
employees."

Mr Adams said the union was in no way encouraging the use of drugs, but
felt there was a need to adopt a positive response to the issue rather than
a negative one.

Checked-by: Mike Gogulski