Jim Finnel
Fallen Cannabis Warrior & Ex News Moderator
Austin fire union officials have challenged a proposal that would require firefighters to be randomly drug tested, saying they want to know what prompted the possible policy because the city already has rules prohibiting drug use among workers.
During negotiations this week for a new employment contract, union officials said they would need to discuss with city officials the meaning of "zero tolerance," and they questioned whether residents had expressed concern about possible drug use among the 1,000-member department.
They also asked city officials to provide information about how frequently firefighters have been found to be using drugs.
Several other major Texas cities already have similar drug-testing policies for firefighters.
"Help us understand the issue," said firefighter Craig Phillips, chairman of the union's bargaining team. "It's a broader-based issue than just saying, 'Well, everybody should be assured firefighters are drug-free.' Well, no duh."
"Have there been some kind of problems with drug use in the department or what?"
Union representatives said they aren't necessarily resistant to a random drug-testing policy. They said they did not receive a draft of the measure until Tuesday.
"We understand the city's position, and we are certainly willing to work with them toward a solution," said Stephen Truesdell, president of the fire union.
"We want to make sure there isn't an underlying problem that we aren't aware of. We and the union want to do everything we can to help our membership."
The discussion comes as city officials and fire union representatives seek to finish an employment contract that also addresses such matters as pay, vacation time, and hiring and promotions procedures.
The current contract expires Sept. 30 and does not include random drug testing. If the two sides do not reach an agreement, firefighters would return to working under state civil service laws.
Austin firefighters also serve as first-responders, frequently arriving on medical calls or other emergencies minutes before paramedics. They can assist patients in administering their own medication, in some instances.
Assistant City Manager Michael McDonald, who is leading negotiations for the city, said the proposal would help assure the public that Austin firefighters are drug-free. The public has higher expectations for the city's public safety and emergency services workers, McDonald said.
"We think it would be good for this community to know that we have programs like that in place," he said.
McDonald said random testing would also provide an incentive for employees to remain drug-free.
The department currently tests prospective firefighters during the hiring process for possible drug use, when they are involved in a significant accident or when officials suspect they are using drugs.
The city also has a policy prohibiting employees from using drugs.
Austin police officers have been randomly drug tested since 2002 for controlled substances, inhalants, marijuana and "prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs that were obtained under false pretenses or by any other unlawful means," according to department policy.
Austin-Travis County paramedics recently agreed in contract negotiations with the city to receive random drug tests.
In Texas, firefighters in Dallas, San Antonio and Houston also are subject to random drug testing, officials in those departments said.
The issue of mandatory drug testing has been debated in other cities, including Boston, according to published reports.
On that city, union officials have rejected random drug testing unless they receive certain concessions.
News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: The Austin American-Statesman
Copyright: 2008 The Austin American-Statesman
Contact: Feedback: How to reach our staff
Website: Firefighters challenge drug-testing proposal
During negotiations this week for a new employment contract, union officials said they would need to discuss with city officials the meaning of "zero tolerance," and they questioned whether residents had expressed concern about possible drug use among the 1,000-member department.
They also asked city officials to provide information about how frequently firefighters have been found to be using drugs.
Several other major Texas cities already have similar drug-testing policies for firefighters.
"Help us understand the issue," said firefighter Craig Phillips, chairman of the union's bargaining team. "It's a broader-based issue than just saying, 'Well, everybody should be assured firefighters are drug-free.' Well, no duh."
"Have there been some kind of problems with drug use in the department or what?"
Union representatives said they aren't necessarily resistant to a random drug-testing policy. They said they did not receive a draft of the measure until Tuesday.
"We understand the city's position, and we are certainly willing to work with them toward a solution," said Stephen Truesdell, president of the fire union.
"We want to make sure there isn't an underlying problem that we aren't aware of. We and the union want to do everything we can to help our membership."
The discussion comes as city officials and fire union representatives seek to finish an employment contract that also addresses such matters as pay, vacation time, and hiring and promotions procedures.
The current contract expires Sept. 30 and does not include random drug testing. If the two sides do not reach an agreement, firefighters would return to working under state civil service laws.
Austin firefighters also serve as first-responders, frequently arriving on medical calls or other emergencies minutes before paramedics. They can assist patients in administering their own medication, in some instances.
Assistant City Manager Michael McDonald, who is leading negotiations for the city, said the proposal would help assure the public that Austin firefighters are drug-free. The public has higher expectations for the city's public safety and emergency services workers, McDonald said.
"We think it would be good for this community to know that we have programs like that in place," he said.
McDonald said random testing would also provide an incentive for employees to remain drug-free.
The department currently tests prospective firefighters during the hiring process for possible drug use, when they are involved in a significant accident or when officials suspect they are using drugs.
The city also has a policy prohibiting employees from using drugs.
Austin police officers have been randomly drug tested since 2002 for controlled substances, inhalants, marijuana and "prescription drugs or over-the-counter drugs that were obtained under false pretenses or by any other unlawful means," according to department policy.
Austin-Travis County paramedics recently agreed in contract negotiations with the city to receive random drug tests.
In Texas, firefighters in Dallas, San Antonio and Houston also are subject to random drug testing, officials in those departments said.
The issue of mandatory drug testing has been debated in other cities, including Boston, according to published reports.
On that city, union officials have rejected random drug testing unless they receive certain concessions.
News Hawk: User: 420 MAGAZINE ® - Medical Marijuana Publication & Social Networking
Source: The Austin American-Statesman
Copyright: 2008 The Austin American-Statesman
Contact: Feedback: How to reach our staff
Website: Firefighters challenge drug-testing proposal
