Substance abuse continues to plague the construction industry, threatening lives and safety, increasing workers compensation insurance premiums and reducing worker productivity. While some unions in the past have embraced drug testing, others have not. But contractors, union leaders and owners now are pushing new programs to make it easier and cheaper to curb substance abuse.
The ironworkers and electrical workers international unions each are finalizing new national programs to create drug and alcohol free work places. Beginning in January, ironworker local unions and contractor members of the Ironworker-Management Progressive Action Cooperative Trust (IMPACT) will have the option to include a substance abuse testing program into new collective bargaining agreements.