Suspended bus driver must take drugs test to regain job

FRIDAY, AUGUST 12: The bus driver at the centre of a labour dispute could be reinstated if she takes a drugs test, Government said last night.

The woman was suspended seven weeks ago after she “refused” to take a urine test after a minor accident.

Union bosses say the Department Of Public Transportation failed to follow the correct testing procedure.

But a DPT spokesman said the bus driver had repeatedly refused to take the test. He said she also failed to report the accident straight away.

“The operator was radioed and instructed to report to the head office immediately where a substance abuse test would be administered, in accordance with policy. 

Opportunity

“The operator agreed to come in but later reported sick for the weekend.”

On the Monday and Tuesday, he claimed she also refused to be tested at work for substance abuse. She was suspended without pay.

The spokesman said: “It is clear that this situation has been caused by the driver’s refusal to follow policy and we sincerely hope that reason prevails and that the public will not be inconvenienced by unreasonable demands.

“Her future as a DPT bus operator is in her own hands.

“Management has been more than reasonable and has provided ample opportunity for this driver to be tested in accordance with our policy.

“Continued refusal to be tested may lead to dismissal.

“We can assure the operator that she will be reinstated as soon as the relevant testing has been completed.”

BIU boss Chris Furbert yesterday said the union had given the DPT a 24-hour deadline to reinstate the driver on full pay or face further action.

Deadline

That deadline passed at 10:30pm last night.

The driver was suspended on June 27 — three days after the accident, in which a passenger received hospital treatment for minor injuries.

Mr Furbert said the driver arrived at work that day and was told she had to undergo a urine drugs test, and that her shop steward was aware of this.

“That was wrong,” said Mr Furbert. “She contacted her shop steward who said he had not been told about the urine drugs test.

“Then both the driver and the shop steward went to management and it was on that basis she would not take the urine test.”

Mr Furbert said the DPT then moved to pursue a hair follicle test, which was “out of the question”.

He said: “From day one the drugs policy hasn’t been followed. They can’t change the policy like this, they have to be consistent.

“There were two bus operators involved in this and only one has been required to be drug tested.

“The division has given the department 24 hours to put the sister back in the seat with no loss of pay.

“If she is not reinstated it will go back to the division to make a decision.

“Various outcomes are possible.

“One possible outcome is a strike but it’s up to the members.”