Pubdate: Thu, 26 Apr 2001 Source: State Journal-Register (IL) Copyright: 2001 The State Journal-Register Contact: http://www.sj-r.com/ Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/425 Author: Doug Finke, State Capitol Bureau ZERO-TOLERANCE DRUG POLICY FOR PRISON WORKERS OK'D BY SENATE COMMITTEE Illinois Senate President James "Pate" Philip and the largest state employee union have reached agreement on a plan to put a zero-tolerance drug policy for prison workers into law. The agreement should pave the way for the General Assembly to approve a better pension plan for prison guards that was negotiated last spring by Council 31 of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. Senate Republicans refused to approve the pension upgrade until the drug policy was codified. "It's zero-tolerance. One strike and you're out," Philip, R-Wood Dale, said after the Senate Executive Committee approved the plan. "We're not supporting the drug-testing bill by itself," said AFSCME political director Bill Perkins. "It's contingent on the pension benefits being placed into law." "We've been assured by the president of the Senate that our pension benefits will be enacted into law," he added. However, Philip didn't sound quite as certain, saying, "There is no agreement on anything specifically." During contract talks a year ago, AFSCME reached agreement with state negotiators on improved pension benefits for prison workers. The union also agreed to a zero-tolerance drug policy in which a worker would be fired for a single positive drug test. The previous policy called for a worker to be suspended the first two times he or she tested positive for drugs and only fired on a third offense. Philip demanded that the drug policy be made law so that it couldn't be eliminated during future contract talks. AFSCME and its allies in the legislature refused to go along, in part because they believed the bill drafted by Senate Republicans went further than the drug provision in the contract. The bill approved by the committee Wednesday contains protections for the union, Perkins said. "Many of the (earlier versions) contained language that specifically abrogated our right to collectively bargain," Perkins said. "That language is not in this bill." Some federal drug-testing guidelines are also incorporated in the bill, which further protects union members, Perkins said. Asked how the latest bill differs from earlier versions, Philip said: "I think it's about the same. I don't think there's much difference at all." - --- MAP posted-by: Andrew