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ARTICLE · 07 JUNE 2016

Suncor Clears Important Hurdle In Implementation Of Random Alcohol And Drug Testing In Alberta

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
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Employers seeking to introduce random alcohol and drug testing in hazardous work environments have reason to be optimistic following the recently released decision in Suncor Energy Inc. v. Unifor Local 707A.

CanadaEmployment and HR
Birch Miller
Birch Miller
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Employers seeking to introduce random alcohol and drug testing in hazardous work environments have reason to be optimistic following the recently released decision in Suncor Energy Inc. v. Unifor Local 707A. Justice D.B. Nixon held that the decision of the three-member arbitration panel (Panel) to reject Suncor Energy Inc.'s (Suncor) proposed implementation of random alcohol and drug testing in its operations in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo was unreasonable and cannot stand. As a result, the Panel's decision has been quashed and the matter has been directed to be reconsidered by a new arbitration panel.

BACKGROUND

In June 2012, following a prolonged period of concern regarding the safety hazards posed by alcohol and drug use in the workplace, Suncor informed the union that it would be introducing random alcohol and drug testing for employees in safety-sensitive and specified positions at its operations in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo.

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