RANDOM JOB-SITE TESTING IDEA WORRIES UNION, HUMAN RIGHTS BODY

EDMONTON (CP) - The concept of random drug testing of employees in some
industries could be running into opposition from organized labour and the
Alberta Human Rights Commission.

Cabinet and caucus will review a report this month from a committee
developing options for dealing with impairment from alcohol and drugs on
job sites.

Les Steel, president of the Alberta Federation of Labour, said the
government shouldn't even be considering allowing companies to conduct
random tests.

''We think it's just an infringement on people's rights,'' Steel said.

''There's other ways to tackle these issues. It will have to be done in a
way that it's not punitive, a way of trying to help people out in dealing
with their problem.''

Steel said he originally was a member of the provincial committee, which
also includes representatives of industry and government, but withdrew once
his AFL members decided at a May 2003 convention that they were against
increased testing.

Louise Borle of the Alberta Human Rights Commission said laws guiding
employer testing of employees are still developing.

''You can be in a safety-sensitive position, but it doesn't mean that the
employer has full rights to random test you,'' she said.

Chris Chodan, a spokesman for Human Resources and Employment, said the idea
is just at a preliminary stage.

He would not reveal what jobs it could affect.