A M ALGA M ATED TRANSIT UNION Know Your Rights DRUG & ALCOHOL REGULATIONS
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ince 1995, the U.S. federal government has required drug and alcohol testing for “safety-sensitive” employees in the mass transit, over-the-road bus and school bus industries. The ATU is committed to educating our members about these requirements and their rights under the current drug and alcohol testing regulations, as well as fighting for those rights in the workplace and ensuring that any regulatory changes take into consideration the privacy and collective bargaining rights of our members.
Drug and Alcohol Testing in Canada ATU members operating over-the-road and transit vehicles in Canada are increasingly being subjected to random drug and alcohol testing. The ATU Canadian Council is taking action! Department of Transportation: Drug & Alcohol Testing Regulations (link)
including bus drivers, mechanics, fuelers, other maintenance personnel, dispatchers, transit police officers and other security officers carrying firearms, wrecker operators, drivers of certain trucks, and supervisors performing safety-sensitive functions.
When are Employees Tested? The federal regulations require drug and alcohol testing in six situations: • • • • • •
Pre-employment Reasonable suspicion Post-accident Random Return to Duty Follow-up
For more information: U.S. DOT Rules & Regulations (link)
Which Employees are Covered? Job applicants, employees, volunteers, transferees, and supervisors who perform “safety-sensitive functions,”
Amalgamated Transit Union AFL-CIO/CLC 5025 Wisconsin Avenue, NW Washington, DC 20016 202.537.1645 www.atu.org