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CP to challenge order to reinstate engineer accused of using drugs
J KELLY THEISEN DDS from Colorado said:
“Running trains is like driving a car”
???.. Please explain how driving a car which weighs an average of 4500 lbs. Is the same as operating a freight train? Which can weigh many thousands of tons, and be up two miles plus in length?? Two totally different vehicles requiring different handling techniques.
High on cocaine driven that train Casey jones better watch your speed!
This is not a company/union relationship problem. All sectors of business are increasingly faced with this issue. Across the country arbitrators and Provincial regulatory agencies are obsessed with the idea of rehabilitating addicted employees. And these decisions do not take into account the various risks to overall public safety.
…and “they” want to legalize DRUGS
Keep on buying votes…this type of incident is ONLY the beginning
Good work HUNTER YOU HAVE THE RIGHT MORALS ETC…OBVIOUSLY NO POLITICS INVOLVED IN YOUR DECISIONS
Randy, your problem is that you’re using the wrong word, but I will give you another chance. With regard to comments about consequences being too harsh, a DUI or DWI should be loss of license and vehicle instead of the wrist slapping that most drivers get.
Random drug testing is not permitted in Canada?
That’s somewhere between preposterous and F-ing outrageous.
A most valuable tool if caveats are applied. F’r instance, we crews stopped deadheading on the Blue Pooches when the smoke floating in the back of the Greyhounds was enough to buzz you and leave a confirmable sample in our bodies… for thirty days and longer in hair.
And, to maintain civility, a glass of Cabernet with a plate of pasta was tolerated, a very low level of alcohol: tolerated.
The anasthesiologist, for an oral surgey, provided a list of the drugs he used and a small amount of cocaine was included in the magic potion: I asked a lab tech who advised no random testing for 30 days.
Narcotics in the pain pills, after a couple of root canals, I was advised to take a week before submitting to a random…
sorry as a retired SPT engr, no choice,…Not Southern Pacific Transportation… no SPT stood for Sudden Piss Test.
Random testing is great and good; Change the policy Canada.
This story sounds suspicious. Is the arbitrator affiliated with the union? Running trains is like driving a car, where alcohol or drugs can impair sound operating, and with the train operation could put motorists and the public at risk. The reinstatement should surely be reversed.
Victimhood trumps common sense and safety.
Based on other unions fighting mandatory drug testing, say Major League Baseball, wanna bet the Canadian legislation was supported by the unions who are now fighting the suspension? When did common sense leave the building? Yeeps.
This is a case where the railroad is saying your caught once your fired period. There are procedures to allow the employee to return to work. Just because someone is caught DUI they do not lose their privledge to drive. Train and Engine employees have the same rights as anyone else. J Kelly I’ve never had my locomotive to swerve into traffic and hit a single car, the cars are in the right of way of the train every time. My guess is Hunter is attempting to get Radom testing in Canada just like the US.
Shameful decision to reinstate this employee. Hope CP prevails!
Burt Carney
Woodburn, OR
Nobody; I mean nobody has the business in the cab of a train or any other kind of vehicle while under the influence of any controlled substance. This only invites tragedy. Remember the dipshits with an unauthorized female rider in the cab of a consist with which these clown ventured onto the main track without authorization that resulted in a terrible accident involving an Amtrak train. That’s exactly why these penalties are harsh. It’s in a nut shell; DON"T BE HIGH while on duty.
That is totally incomprehensible that the engineer was awarded that decision.
Is there a permissible amount of cocaine (perhaps .01) to be in the body when one goes to work. When there is alcohol the limit is .08 before one is considered to be drunk. Alcohol is considered to be a legal drug although you should not have any in your system when at work. Having .09 in the body would be considered a small error in judgements , driving your car in the sidewalk and running over people in not a small a small error in judgment. People on cocine can do a lot of strange things when they are strung out.
Another nail in the casket to the wonderful brotherhoods that protect someone that could affect everyone’s life. All to keep one irresponsible union employee on the job and paying dues!!
I will point out that at the moment we do not know any details of what the rules violation may have been or the reasons for the Arbitrator’s decision, so you are judging out of ignorance.
I am not condoning the use of drugs, and especially not when they might cause impairment. But a number of drugs still leave traces that can be detected in lab tests long after they have any physical effect.
The full arbitrator’s ruling should be posted on the CROA (Canadian Railway Office of Arbitration) web site soon so I suggest everyone hold back from condemning the engineer, and especially the arbitrator, until it is available.
I drive a forklift in a warehouse with a lot of people around me, if I use drugs or booze and hit someone, should I have the right to get my job back, no. How ever, my company has a policy where if they suspect you are under the influence, they have programs to help you at no cost, only if you want the help. Not knowing what rules were broken, I honestly think the person here should be giving the same chance, with close supervision and the right folks helping this person he can get “clean”. But only the person themselves can really ask for that 2nd chance. Should he be allowed to operate train again. Only he and the railroad should be the ones to decide.
I drive a forklift in a warehouse with a lot of people around me, if I use drugs or booze and hit someone, should I have the right to get my job back, no. How ever, my company has a policy where if they suspect you are under the influence, they have programs to help you at no cost, only if you want the help. Not knowing what rules were broken, I honestly think the person here should be giving the same chance, with close supervision and the right folks helping this person he can get “clean”. But only the person themselves can really ask for that 2nd chance. Should he be allowed to operate train again. Only he and the railroad should be the ones to decide.
I drive a forklift in a warehouse with a lot of people around me, if I use drugs or booze and hit someone, should I have the right to get my job back, no. How ever, my company has a policy where if they suspect you are under the influence, they have programs to help you at no cost, only if you want the help. Not knowing what rules were broken, I honestly think the person here should be giving the same chance, with close supervision and the right folks helping this person he can get “clean”. But only the person themselves can really ask for that 2nd chance. Should he be allowed to operate train again. Only he and the railroad should be the ones to decide.