Arbitration - 8 fired for Illegal Drug use rehired at Ont Nuke Plants - Arbitrators ruling
Say a lot about binding arbitration now doesn't it. Does that make you feel safe.
Eight fired Ontario nuclear plant workers get their jobs back - The Globe and Mail
Eight of 11 workers who were fired from Ontario Power Generation’s Pickering nuclear station last month have been given their jobs back.
A provincial arbitrator’s decision released Dec. 23 reinstated eight of the workers who were fired in November after allegations of illegal drug use.
However, the decision wasn’t made public until a memo from OPG President and CEO Tom Mitchell to staff at the giant utility.
Because of the highly public nature of the dismissals and the challenge this event had on OPG’s well earned reputation, I want to let you know appropriate labour relations processes were followed and have now concluded,” Mr. Mitchell wrote.
The cases of the three who did not get their jobs back did not go to arbitration, and the arbitrator told OPG not to publicly release the names of the individuals involved or the information that was used during the hearing.
“What I can tell you is three individuals will not be returning to OPG,” wrote Mitchell.
“The arbitrator has reinstated the remaining eight employees with varying levels of discipline, which in some cases include significant restrictions.”
A spokesman said OPG could not speak to the specific discipline measures in this case, but “generally penalties can include suspensions, loss of pay and potentially demotions or other workplace restrictions.”
OPG called in police last month to investigate the allegations of drug use and a misuse of company resources by the workers, who were described as support and cleaning staff.
The utility has said all along that safety at the nuclear facility was never compromised, and no charges were ever laid by police.
The employees were reported to be using company computers to send emails about drug-related activities, but officially they were fired for violating OPG’s code of business conduct.
“When it comes to business ethics, each of us is accountable for doing the right thing,” said Mr. Mitchell.
“The code sets a standards for the way we work and the decisions we make, and it helps define our culture.”
And the Feds are just getting around to this now????????
Does not take a Rocket Scientist to figure this one out, now does it???Pressure growing for drug testing of nuclear plant staff - The Globe and Mail
Canada’s nuclear safety watchdog is developing policies that would require employees at power plants to be tested for drugs and alcohol.
The proposed heightened safety measures have been in the works for some time and will be released for public consultation next year. They come just as allegations of drug-related activities rock Ontario’s Crown-owned electricity utility. But they are not expected to be as stringent as those in the United States, where employees of nuclear power generating plants are subjected to mandatory, random testing.
In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission introduced rules in 1989, requiring nuclear plant workers to be tested randomly to determine if they’ve been using alcohol or drugs. An employee who fails the test is suspended for at least 14 days. During that period, the plant operator must decide whether to fire the individual or refer him or her to a treatment program for substance abuse.
Canada has not followed the United States, despite recommendations of the Senate energy committee in 2001. In an interim report on safety at Canada’s nuclear reactors in 2001, the Senate committee called on the federal and Ontario governments to amend human rights legislation to allow drug and alcohol testing of employees in areas critical to public safety.
Say a lot about binding arbitration now doesn't it. Does that make you feel safe.
Eight fired Ontario nuclear plant workers get their jobs back - The Globe and Mail
Eight of 11 workers who were fired from Ontario Power Generation’s Pickering nuclear station last month have been given their jobs back.
A provincial arbitrator’s decision released Dec. 23 reinstated eight of the workers who were fired in November after allegations of illegal drug use.
However, the decision wasn’t made public until a memo from OPG President and CEO Tom Mitchell to staff at the giant utility.
Because of the highly public nature of the dismissals and the challenge this event had on OPG’s well earned reputation, I want to let you know appropriate labour relations processes were followed and have now concluded,” Mr. Mitchell wrote.
The cases of the three who did not get their jobs back did not go to arbitration, and the arbitrator told OPG not to publicly release the names of the individuals involved or the information that was used during the hearing.
“What I can tell you is three individuals will not be returning to OPG,” wrote Mitchell.
“The arbitrator has reinstated the remaining eight employees with varying levels of discipline, which in some cases include significant restrictions.”
A spokesman said OPG could not speak to the specific discipline measures in this case, but “generally penalties can include suspensions, loss of pay and potentially demotions or other workplace restrictions.”
OPG called in police last month to investigate the allegations of drug use and a misuse of company resources by the workers, who were described as support and cleaning staff.
The utility has said all along that safety at the nuclear facility was never compromised, and no charges were ever laid by police.
The employees were reported to be using company computers to send emails about drug-related activities, but officially they were fired for violating OPG’s code of business conduct.
“When it comes to business ethics, each of us is accountable for doing the right thing,” said Mr. Mitchell.
“The code sets a standards for the way we work and the decisions we make, and it helps define our culture.”
And the Feds are just getting around to this now????????
Does not take a Rocket Scientist to figure this one out, now does it???Pressure growing for drug testing of nuclear plant staff - The Globe and Mail
Canada’s nuclear safety watchdog is developing policies that would require employees at power plants to be tested for drugs and alcohol.
The proposed heightened safety measures have been in the works for some time and will be released for public consultation next year. They come just as allegations of drug-related activities rock Ontario’s Crown-owned electricity utility. But they are not expected to be as stringent as those in the United States, where employees of nuclear power generating plants are subjected to mandatory, random testing.
In the United States, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission introduced rules in 1989, requiring nuclear plant workers to be tested randomly to determine if they’ve been using alcohol or drugs. An employee who fails the test is suspended for at least 14 days. During that period, the plant operator must decide whether to fire the individual or refer him or her to a treatment program for substance abuse.
Canada has not followed the United States, despite recommendations of the Senate energy committee in 2001. In an interim report on safety at Canada’s nuclear reactors in 2001, the Senate committee called on the federal and Ontario governments to amend human rights legislation to allow drug and alcohol testing of employees in areas critical to public safety.
