Wirraway
19th Jul 2003, 01:33
Fri "The Australian"
Qantas plans random tests
By Steve Creedy, Industrial relations
July 18, 2003
QANTAS will introduce random drug and alcohol testing next month despite union threats of a showdown over the issue.
The airline said yesterday it would introduce a pilot program for Sydney staff and had already begun mailing out information to employees.
"All staff are going to get a copy of the (revised alcohol and other drugs) policy, an education kit and a list of frequently asked questions about the program," said airline spokesman Michael Sharp.
The program, aspects of which have already been introduced, has been under discussion for almost two years, but unions remain opposed to random testing and say it could affect up to 4500 workers a year.
Qantas defends the testing on safety grounds and says the major emphasis of the program is on rehabilitation.
It says the new policy will bring it into line with overseas airlines and other Australian transport operators, as well as mining and other companies such as BHP Steel, Esso Australia and Boral.
"The revised program is consistent with Qantas's overall commitment to safety on the ground and in the air," Mr Sharp said. "It's about ensuring a safe workplace for our employees and maintaining our reputation for safety with the travelling public."
Ten unions lashed out last week at random testing as an unfair and unwarranted infringement of Qantas employees' privacy.
They complained that zero tolerance random alcohol and drug testing amounted to rule by fear that would also target prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as cold and flu medications.
Ignorance would not be a defence and even those whose performance was not impaired but had detectable traces of drugs or alcohol in their system would still be considered in breach of the policy.
The unions put forward an alternative that would place an obligation on employees not to attend work if they believed they were impaired by drugs, alcohol or fatigue. The proposal would allow non-intrusive impairment testing in specified circumstances.
"Qantas unions take health and safety seriously," the unions said. "Qantas should do the same. Random testing will do nothing more than drive the problem underground."
Qantas denied that people on prescription medicines would be targeted by the program and said there were comprehensive measures and protocols in place to protect privacy and confidentiality. "It is self-evident that this program is about safety in the workplace and it targets alcohol and inappropriate drugs," Mr Sharp said.
"Obviously if someone is taking prescription drugs, that is not going to be a problem."
Mr Sharp said people who tested positive to alcohol or inappropriate drugs would not face the sack unless they were serial offenders.
Employees who tested positive would be provided with access to counselling under either the company's employee assistance program or alternative counselling.
Mr Sharp said Qantas had already run two pilot drug and alcohol education awareness programs.
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Qantas plans random tests
By Steve Creedy, Industrial relations
July 18, 2003
QANTAS will introduce random drug and alcohol testing next month despite union threats of a showdown over the issue.
The airline said yesterday it would introduce a pilot program for Sydney staff and had already begun mailing out information to employees.
"All staff are going to get a copy of the (revised alcohol and other drugs) policy, an education kit and a list of frequently asked questions about the program," said airline spokesman Michael Sharp.
The program, aspects of which have already been introduced, has been under discussion for almost two years, but unions remain opposed to random testing and say it could affect up to 4500 workers a year.
Qantas defends the testing on safety grounds and says the major emphasis of the program is on rehabilitation.
It says the new policy will bring it into line with overseas airlines and other Australian transport operators, as well as mining and other companies such as BHP Steel, Esso Australia and Boral.
"The revised program is consistent with Qantas's overall commitment to safety on the ground and in the air," Mr Sharp said. "It's about ensuring a safe workplace for our employees and maintaining our reputation for safety with the travelling public."
Ten unions lashed out last week at random testing as an unfair and unwarranted infringement of Qantas employees' privacy.
They complained that zero tolerance random alcohol and drug testing amounted to rule by fear that would also target prescription and over-the-counter drugs such as cold and flu medications.
Ignorance would not be a defence and even those whose performance was not impaired but had detectable traces of drugs or alcohol in their system would still be considered in breach of the policy.
The unions put forward an alternative that would place an obligation on employees not to attend work if they believed they were impaired by drugs, alcohol or fatigue. The proposal would allow non-intrusive impairment testing in specified circumstances.
"Qantas unions take health and safety seriously," the unions said. "Qantas should do the same. Random testing will do nothing more than drive the problem underground."
Qantas denied that people on prescription medicines would be targeted by the program and said there were comprehensive measures and protocols in place to protect privacy and confidentiality. "It is self-evident that this program is about safety in the workplace and it targets alcohol and inappropriate drugs," Mr Sharp said.
"Obviously if someone is taking prescription drugs, that is not going to be a problem."
Mr Sharp said people who tested positive to alcohol or inappropriate drugs would not face the sack unless they were serial offenders.
Employees who tested positive would be provided with access to counselling under either the company's employee assistance program or alternative counselling.
Mr Sharp said Qantas had already run two pilot drug and alcohol education awareness programs.
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