To help promote workplace safety, Plumbers Local 12 and the Plumbing Heating Cooling Contractors of Greater Boston (PHCC) have instituted a drug-testing program. A five-month introductory period that began in December 2007 is being used to provide information, enroll Local 12 members, and conduct initial testing. Starting in May 2008, the full-scale program will commence.

At that time, signatory contractors will need to determine whether they want to participate in the voluntary effort. It is expected that the majority of contractors will choose to join the program. In order to be eligible for employment, all plumbers seeking work with participating contractors will need to be tested and included on Local 12's certified drug-free list.

Participation for journeymen plumbers is voluntary; the program is mandatory for apprentices, however. Those choosing to enroll will need to pass an initial drug screen. In order to remain on the drug-free list, participants will have to take additional drug tests every two years. In addition, a computer program will identify enrolled members for periodic random testing.

Forward thinking

The United Association, the parent organization of Local 12, is an advocate for drug testing. In its recently drafted Standard for Excellence (see cover article), the UA includes a zero-tolerance policy for substance abuse on the job. There is a construction industry trend, which began in the early 1990s, to require drug testing for building trades workers. Hugh Kelleher, executive director of the PHCC of Greater Boston, says that the massive Deer Island Sewage Treatment Plant was one of the area's first high-profile projects to impose a drug-free policy. He says that many large construction projects now have similar requirements.

But the program is about more than compliance. "It's forward thinking for Local 12 to do the right thing," says Kelleher about the drug testing initiative. "We don't want to send anyone with a drug problem to a job site and compromise safety. It places everyone at risk." The program also helps promote a more productive work environment and is another way to demonstrate the integrity of union plumbers.

While the testing is designed to certify that enrolled participants are drug-free, Kevin Cotter, Plumbers Local 12 business manager says, "We're not interested in keeping people off of jobs. Our intent is to rehabilitate, not punish." Members who fail a test will be offered a variety of treatment options depending on their assessed level of drug use. They can be placed back on the certified drug-free list subject to participating in treatment and passing a series of additional retests. Modern Assistance Programs (MAP) of Quincy will be conducting the testing and coordinating treatment for members, when necessary.

Focus on education and rehabilitation

"Naturally, there needs to be consequences for people on job sites who violate policies," says Paul McDevitt, MAP president and founder. "But, we're primarily here to help." The licensed mental health counselor emphasizes that the organization is "not an arm of the DEA" and is focused on education and rehabilitation. Its 18-member staff offers individual and group counseling. "We operate on hope and believe that everybody can get well," says McDevitt.

In fact, Local 12 and the PHCC entrusted MAP with the testing program because it was already providing substance abuse assistance for plumbers and other members of the construction trades. "We have a great deal of respect for Paul and the work of his organization," Cotter says. Three years ago, MAP launched a drug testing program for the electrical workers IBEW Local 103 and its signatory contractors. That program, which is similar to the plumbers' initiative, has been well received.

MAP will be offering a number of test dates at sites throughout Local 12's jurisdiction.