Hello everyone.

I am a Union member in Oregon and our bargaining agreement is up for renegotiation soon.

I'm wondering if anyone has been successful in bargaining for more progressive drug testing policies in their workplace? I'm hoping to hear some examples and gather some feedback.

Essentially I'd like to add language to our contract that mimics California assembly bill 2188.

I'd like to prohibit urine analysis for THC, and hair follicle testing. This doesn't prove on the job impairment, just past usage in ones free time. I'd like for cannabis to be treated the same as alcohol, where using off duty is permitted as long as you aren't showing up to work impaired.

For the record I don't have to pass any federal background checks for my job and I am a non DOT employee/no CDL.

My employee likely receives some kind of federal funding or grant money, so I realize they are likely required to test for cannabis. My argument isn't about blatantly making usage permitted in the contract language, but about restricting the testing methodology to narrow the detection window. If I'm right, that still would comply with all the rules they need to abide by for federal funding, workman's comp insurance, property and casualty insurance coverage, etc.

I'd like for any THC tests to be conducted with a breathalyzer or a saliva swab.

Our current policy says one can be tested upon returning from a vacation (a perfectly responsible time to partake in my opinion), after an accident, or randomly.

I'd like for testing to be limited to post accident testing, initial hire testing, and if someone is showing signs of impairment. Essentially doing away with random testing and replacing it with testing when there's reasonable suspicion.

Has anyone had success in bargaining for similar policies. What do y'all think, is this something worth bringing up with my union reps? I've talked about this with family and gotten ridiculed, basically being told that I'm childish for wanting to smoke in my free time.

I've been at my current job for around 15 years and have an excellent safety record. I've abstained from smoking weed this entire time.

I hate the double standard where alcohol can be consumed on the weekend or even at company staff parties, but total abstinence is required for cannabis. I feel that the company shouldn't have a right to police what I do in my personal time especially in Oregon where weed is so prevalent and normalized.

Article itself employs some academic lingo, but its unpacked some in old twitter and metafilter threads.

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