March 26, 2014 - 1:41 PM
FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. - Oilsands giant Suncor Energy has lost another battle in its attempt to randomly test thousands of union workers in northern Alberta for drugs and alcohol.
A court-ordered arbitration panel has sided with the union Unifor that represents 3,600 workers in the Fort McMurray area and which had filed a grievance against the policy.
The majority of panel members ruled there is no evidence that there is an out-of-control drinking or drug culture at Suncor (TSX:SU).
The panel said the random testing policy is an unreasonable exercise of Suncor's management rights.
Suncor says it will ask the Alberta Court of Queen's Bench for a judicial review of the ruling.
The union says it will work with Suncor to improve workplace safety through education and prevention programs.
News from © The Canadian Press, 2014