Pubdate: Wed, 20 Apr 2016
Source: Toronto Sun (CN ON)
Copyright: 2016 Canoe Limited Partnership
Contact: http://www.torontosun.com/letter-to-editor
Website: http://torontosun.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/457
Author: Andy Byford
Page: 10

STRENGTHENING SAFETY IS OUR DUTY

Since 2010, the TTC has had a fitness-for-duty policy that tests
employees for alcohol and drugs for the following: After a serious
incident, for reasonable cause, post-treatment and pre-employment.

These tests apply to all those in safety-sensitive positions, as well
as designated management and executive positions, including the CEO.

And now we are adding random testing to the mix.

In 2011, the TTC board did, in fact, approve the addition of random
testing to the policy following a fatal accident where an operator
passed a breathalyzer, but refused a drug test. Police later
discovered marijuana in his possession. Though he was not charged with
impaired driving, he was fired from the TTC.

Random testing was not implemented due to funding constraints at the
time. That has now changed. We will get on with hiring a third party
to administer the program on our behalf and strengthen safety at the
TTC.

There is an ongoing arbitration with respect to the entire
fitness-for-duty policy. But given the seriousness of this issue, the
arbitration process is taking far too long to conclude, in my view.

The TTC board also directed staff to ask the province to consider
legislation making random testing mandatory for public transit
agencies, as is the case in the United States and elsewhere around the
world.

Random testing - and this is a very important point - only tests for
impairment at work. What one does on their own time is none of our
business, so long as it doesn't affect one's ability to do their job.

What one does at work, however, is very much our business. Nothing
ought to trump your safety as a customer, motorist, pedestrian or
cyclist - nor the safety of other TTC workers.

I cannot stress enough that individual privacy is protected, while the
safety of all is strengthened.

Since 2010, when the policy allowing for several forms of testing, but
not random, was implemented, there have been continued instances of
impairment at work or refusing to submit to a test. For example, there
have been 16 instances in 2014 and 30 in 2015.

Those numbers are unacceptable. How does the TTC not strengthen its
safety record with a proven deterrence of random testing? How do we
explain to the public we're not taking the necessary steps to ensure
the TTC is as safe as we can reasonably make it? We cannot.

Respecting privacy, providing a safer workplace, a safer public
transit system, and ensuring those who have real dependencies get the
help they need, is what progressive and responsible employers like the
TTC do. Strengthening TTC safety is our duty and responsibility.

Byford is CEO of the Toronto Transit Commission.
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MAP posted-by: Matt