WORKER FIRED FOR ALLEGEDLY SMOKING DOPE IS SUING UNION

A former water commission worker is suing his union, claiming it did
nothing to help him when he was fired for allegedly smoking dope on the job.

Miles Crawley of Dartmouth was working for the Halifax Regional Water
Commission, maintaining and repairing water lines and working on heavy
equipment, when he was fired on Feb. 18.

"The employer alleged that (Mr. Crawley) had been smoking marijuana on the
job," says the lawsuit, filed Wednesday in Nova Scotia Supreme Court.

He "denied smoking or ingesting any illegal substances on the job."

Mr. Crawley appealed to his union, Canadian Union of Public Employees,
Local 227.

The union filed a grievance on his behalf, "alleging unjust dismissal and
violation of the collective agreement," the claim says. It also demanded
the water commission produce evidence to substantiate its claims and
arranged to have a dismissal hearing for Mr. Crawley.

But the union withdrew the grievance, the lawsuit says. The document
doesn't explain why this was done.

Mr. Crawley claims the union "failed to represent him in good faith," was
negligent and breached its duty of fair representation. "As a result (Mr.
Crawley) has suffered, and continues to suffer, damages and loss of wages,
benefits, mental distress, and loss of employment and career
opportunities," the document says.

Mr. Crawley is seeking damaged for negligence and breach of duty, general
damages for mental distress, special damaged and further relief ordered by
the court.

A CUPE local spokesman had no comment Thursday, and Mr. Crawley would not
speak to the media without the permission of his lawyer, who could not be
reached Thursday.