Case Name: BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF WAY EMPLOYEES, LODGE 16, et al.; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, Grand Lodge, et al., Intervenors, Appellants, v. BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD COMPANY, Appellee
Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit
Jurisdiction: United States
Decision Date: 1986-10-01
Citations: 802 F.2d 1016
Docket Number: Nos. 85-2360, 85-2412
Parties: BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF WAY EMPLOYEES, LODGE 16, et al.; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, Grand Lodge, et al., Intervenors, Appellants, v. BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD COMPANY, Appellee.
Judges: 
Reporter: Federal Reporter 2d Series
Volume: 802
Pages: 1016–1025

Head Matter:
BROTHERHOOD OF MAINTENANCE OF WAY EMPLOYEES, LODGE 16, et al.; Brotherhood of Maintenance of Way Employees, Grand Lodge, et al., Intervenors, Appellants, v. BURLINGTON NORTHERN RAILROAD COMPANY, Appellee.
Nos. 85-2360, 85-2412.
United States Court of Appeals, Eighth Circuit.
Submitted May 12, 1986.
Decided Oct. 1, 1986.
Harry W. Zanville, Cedar Falls, Iowa, for appellants.
Richard J. Schreiber, Fort Worth, Tex., for appellee.
Before ARNOLD, FAGG and WOLLMAN, Circuit Judges.

Opinion:
PER CURIAM.
This is a suit in equity for an injunction preventing the defendant, Burlington Northern Railroad Co., from putting into effect unilaterally certain methods for detecting drug use among its employees. In general, if a proposed practice by a rail carrier is a clear departure from the collective-bargaining agreement, a dispute over the practice is treated as a "major dispute" under the Railway Labor Act, and the carrier may not proceed without first negotiating with the employees' representative. But if the proposed practice is arguably justified by the collective-bargaining agreement (including settled past practices of the parties under the agreement), then a dispute is called "minor," and the carrier may proceed unilaterally, subject to an arbitration process before the National Railroad Adjustment Board.
This appeal involves two disputed proposed practices. First, the railroad wants to administer chemical drug testing to all employees who appear to be involved in any accident or other incident which seemingly stems from human error. Second, the railroad wants to administer similar tests to all employees who return to work after a furlough or similar absence. The District Court, 642 F.Supp. 41, held that the dispute over the first practice (post-incident testing) was minor. It therefore denied the injunction sought against the railroad's proposed initiation of this practice. But with respect to the second challenged practice (post-furlough testing), the Court held the dispute major and therefore granted the injunction.
Both sides appeal. The union seeks reversal of the denial of the injunction against post-incident testing. The railroad seeks reversal of the grant of the injunction against post-furlough testing.
As to the first issue, we affirm. As to the second, we reverse. The Court's reasons for these holdings are expressed in two opinions. An opinion by Judge Arnold, in which all Members of the Court join, explains our holding that the railroad may proceed with post-incident testing. An opinion by Judge Fagg, in which Judge Wollman joins, explains our holding that the railroad may proceed with post-furlough testing. Judge Arnold dissents from this latter holding.
The judgment of the District Court, insofar as it denied an injunction with respect to post-incident testing, is affirmed. Insofar as it granted an injunction with respect to post-furlough testing, the judgment is reversed, and the injunction is vacated and set aside.
It is so ordered.