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UNITED STEELWORKERS OF AMERICA LOCAL 12431; and Raymond CONROY individually and in his capacity as President of Local 12431, Plaintiffs
vs.
Samuel SKINNER individually and in his capacity as Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation; James J. MALACHOWSKI individually and in his capacity as Administrator of State of Rhode Island Division of Public Utilities and Carriers; and RHODE ISLAND DIVISION OF PUBLIC UTILITIES AND Carriers Defendants
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Issues:
Random testing, safety, refusal, union issues, policy and procedure, Fourth and Fourteenth Amendments.
Case Summary:
A union representing workers on a natural gas pipeline challenges federal and state regulations mandating the drug testing of all workers in safety-sensitive positions. The union contends the testing requirement violates constitutional protections against unreasonable searches.
Decision of lower jurisdiction:
This is the first judicial review of this case.
Outcome:
The union loses. The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island ruled that it lacked subject matter jurisdiction over the issues raised by the union. The court dismissed the union's challenges to the federal guidelines and the corresponding state regulations.