Catherwood LibraryILR School

In response to what it claims is an attempt by Washington, D.C.?s Metro transit system to unilaterally change drug testing rules specified in their contract, the 7,000 member Amalgamated Transit Union Local 689 has announced its intention to bring a lawsuit if management does not agree to negotiate over the change. What makes this disagreement unusual, is that Metro has decided to eliminate random alcohol and drug testing of escalator and elevator mechanics, and the union is insisting that safety is critical enough in these jobs that pre-employment testing is not sufficient and random screening must be maintained. Local 689 has acknowledged that its position on the issue is unusual for a union, but has made it clear that it feels the testing is necessary to ensure the safety of the 600,000 passengers who have to ride an average of two escalators every time they get on or off a train.