Opinion ID: 712926
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: Watson occupied a safety-sensitive position;

Text: 20 (2) Mountaineer had a vested right under the CBA to implement a mandatory random drug testing for employees; 21 (3) The findings made by a previous arbitrator sustaining the validity of the Policy were a matter of res judicata; 2 22 (4) The chain of custody for Watson's positive specimen was sufficient; and 23 (5) The procedure used for testing Watson's specimen was not defective. The arbitrator nonetheless continued: 24 The Arbitrator does, however, agree with the Union that [Watson's] unblemished work history over 15 years of employment with [Mountaineer], the Arbitrator finds that there was not just cause for his termination. The Arbitrator rejects the Policy as applied here and finds that just cause for immediate termination did not exist under these circumstances.Employers implement Employee Assistance Programs in order to rehabilitate and retain valuable employees with personal problems. Substance abuse is always a key element of any properly implemented EAP. Often it takes being 'caught' or the threat of discharge or discipline, for employees to seek professional help. Grievant's/[Watson's] inability to utilize this program after testing positive undermines the purpose and effectiveness of the EAP. 25 The Arbitrator has great difficulty with a substance abuse policy that permits rehabilitation for voluntary assistance but terminates without recourse anyone who is 'caught' by a positive drug test. Since [Mountaineer's] Policy was upheld by Arbitrator Beilstein, revision or invalidation of the Policy on its face is improper since the matter is res judicata. Although Arbitrator Beilstein upheld the Policy on its face that does not mean that there are not individual exceptions to the strict application of the Policy. Laws and policies upheld on their face can always be challenged in their application. The Arbitrator agrees with the Union that leniency should have been afforded [Watson] since he tested negative in February and September and showed no signs whatsoever of poor or adverse job performance. 26 (emphasis added).