CANADIAN RAILWAY OFFICE OF ARBITRATION

& DISPUTE RESOLUTION

CASE NO. 4328

Heard in Montreal, July 10, 2014 Concerning

CANADIAN PACIFIC RAILWAY

And

TEAMSTERS CANADA RAIL CONFERENCE

DISPUTE:

Appeal of the dismissal of Locomotive Engineer A. JOINT STATEMENT OF ISSUE: On February 14, 2013, following an. investigation, Locomotive Engineer A was dismissed from Company service "For conduct unbecoming an employee for your engaging in the use of illegal and prohibited substance (cocaine) as evidence by your positive test conducted on December 27, 2012, a violation of CROR General notice, General Rule G, Section 3 item 1.3 and 7.0 and Company Policy OHS 4100, at St-Luc Yard, mile 46.9, Adirondack Subdivision, while working as Locomotive Engineer on Train 2 53 23 On December 27, 2012." The Union contends that the penalty of discharge is excessive in all of the circumstances. Further, the Union contends that the Company's termination of Mr. PA's employment breaches the Collective Agreement and the Canadian Human Rights Act, including its duty to accommodate Mr. A under the Act. The Union requests that Mr. A be reinstated without loss of seniority and benefits, and that he be made whole for all lost earnings with interest. In the alternative, the Union requests that the penalty be mitigated as the Arbitrator sees fit. The Company disagrees and denies the Union's request. FOR THE UNION: FOR THE COMPANY: (SGD.) B. Brunet (SGD.) L. Smeltzer General Chairperson Labour Relations Officer There appeared on behalf of the Company: B. Sly – Director, Labour Relations, Calgary N. Hasham – Counsel, Toronto Dr. M. Snider-Adler – Medical Review Officer DriverCheck, There appeared on behalf of the Union: D. Ellickson – Counsel, Caley Wray, Toronto B. Brunet – General Chairman,

CROA&DR 4328

• 2 – J. Campbell – Vice-General Chairman, E. Paquette -- Local Chairman, A. -- Grievor

AWARD OF THE ARBITRATOR

On December 27, 2012 the grievor operated train 253-23 as its locomotive

engineer. His train was involved in the run through of a main line crossover switch which

derailed a locomotive. He was then directed to submit to a post incident substance test.

The results of that test returned a positive reading on the oral fluid (swab) test.

Following an investigation in relation to the positive substance test indicated, to the

Arbitrator’s satisfaction, that the grievor used cocaine in the late hours of December 22,

or the early hours of December 23, within twenty-four hours of his being available for

duty. In fact because the grievor’s oral fluid test proved positive for cocaine while his

urine test was negative, the inference is that he consumed the cocaine in a relatively

short time prior to the taking of the substance test performed at 20:45 on December 27,

2012. In the result, I am satisfied that the Company is correct in its assertion, on the

balance of probabilities, that the grievor did consume cocaine at a time and of a quantity

which could impact his work performance.

Whatever the specifics of the culminating incident may be, the Union does not

deny that the grievor has a dependency on cocaine. Its counsel filed in evidence

reporting documents from the Centre de Réadaptation en Dépendance Laval. It appears

that that institution assessed the grievor as being cocaine dependent. Its report further

relates his attendance and involvement in rehabilitation through individual and group

CROA&DR 4328

• 3 –

encounters between October of 2013 and March of 2014. I accept the documentation

filed in evidence as sufficient proof of the grievor’s efforts at rehabilitation and his

success in remaining free from the consumption of cocaine as documented in the

report.

It is trite to say that cocaine dependence is a form of disability which bears

appropriate accommodation, to the point of undue hardship. On the whole of the

material before me I am satisfied that it is appropriate to give the grievor another chance

to demonstrate his ability to be a safe and productive employee in control of his drug

dependence.

The grievance is therefore allowed, in part. The Arbitrator directs that the grievor

be reinstated into his employment forthwith, without loss of seniority and without

compensation for any wages or benefits lost. As a condition of reinstatement, for two

years following his return to work, employee A shall be subject to random alcohol and

drug testing to be administered in a non-abusive fashion, and shall refrain from the

consumption of illicit drugs. Any failure to respect this conditions may have the most

serious consequences for his employment.

July 14, 2014 _______________________________

MICHEL G. PICHER

ARBITRATOR