Pubdate: Tue, 20 Aug 2013
Source: Kamloops This Week (CN BC)
Copyright: 2013 Kamloops This Week
Contact:  http://www.kamloopsthisweek.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1271
Author: Cavelle Layes

COMPANY DEFENDS USE OF DRUG-DETECTION DOGS

JV Driver spokesman: 'Our goal is to maintain a safe site and get the
workers home safe'

A company contracted to work at Highland Valley Copper Mine near Logan
Lake hired drug-detection dogs after it received credible information
there were possible banned substances on the work site.

JV Driver Installations Inc. used the canines on the job site last
week.

Sources working for the company, who requested their names not be
printed, told KTW the two days of searches followed safety concerns
occurred on the job.

After numerous calls from KTW, JV Driver responded to questions via
email.

"JVD Installations Inc.'s focus is on ensuring the safety of our
people and others on site," company spokesman Boyd Mitchell said.

"Industrial construction workers face unique risks when they go to
work every day and, if we can deter drug use in safety-sensitive
environments, the outcome is a simply a safer place to work."

Richard Boyce is the representative of the United Steelworkers Union
7619, which represents workers at Highland Valley, but not JV Driver
employees.

Boyce said there were other methods that could have been taken that
would have better respected the company's employees.

"If I was a representative of their union, I would have a huge problem
with this," Boyce said.

Boyce noted discussions with James Leland, the business manager with
the contractors' union, Ironworkers Local 97, revealed the company
didn't contact the union before the search.

Mitchell said JV Driver did its best not to cross any
lines.

"All searches were conducted in the least obtrusive manner possible,"
Mitchell said.

While sources told KTW some employees were sent home and told to wait
for a call, Mitchell said otherwise, noting employees had suffered no
repercussions as a result of the search.

While some sources believe the company went too far by using search
dogs, others commended the operation.

"We need to get that stuff out of the workplace," one source said,
explaining drug users are putting themselves and others at risk on the
job site.

Mitchell said the company couldn't ignore tips regarding the
possibility of banned substances.

"We were legally and morally obligated to act to ensure the continued
safety of the workplace," he said.

Sources told KTW marijuana and cocaine were found during the search
but, while Mitchell did confirm "some banned substances" were found,
he would not specify which kind, noting all such substances were
disposed of by the RCMP.

Mitchell did not acknowledge reports of a union grievance being filed,
but said the company would continue to work with the Ironworkers in
the future.

"We intend to work closely with our labour partners and client in
continued support of substance-abuse prevention initiatives and other
programs," Mitchell said.

"As responsible employers, our goal is to maintain a safe site and get
the workers home safe to their families each and every day.

"There is no higher priority."

A representative of a detection-dog service in Vancouver said they
deal frequently with large companies on mine and construction sites.

The first question asked is always whether there's a
union.

"The search always goes much better when all parties are aware of what
is taking place," the company representative said.

"Unions are a powerful thing. You want to make sure you have them
involved in the process.

"If you go against them, you could end up not being allowed to conduct
any future searches, even small ones."

The company representative added that, even with all parties on board
with the search, JV Driver is still have limited in who and what can
be searched.

"We could walk the dog around and have that visual factor, but we
could not search an individual employee," the company representative
said.

The dogs can, however, search around the lunch area, in company
vehicles, such as the buses used to transport JVD employees, and
around the exterior of personal vehicles.
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MAP posted-by: Matt