Union Objects to Cameras in Toilets

Date: 11 February 2002

The permanent positioning of cameras in the toilets of a drug testing facility in Mount Isa is a gross invasion of privacy and an example of drug testing policy gone mad, the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union (AMWU) said today.

The AMWU is objecting to the new Mount Isa Mines (MIM) drug and alcohol testing policy, which is scheduled to start at its Mount Isa facility on Monday (11 February).

An external company, Western Diagnostics, is implementing the new random drug-testing program for MIM and the AMWU is concerned that it has cameras permanently positioned at its facility capable of close-up filming of both men and women urinating. AMWU delegates in Mount Isa have inspected the facilities and found that the cameras are permanently positioned.

MIM claims that "non-recordable cameras" are used by Gemini Medical Services solely for pre-employment testing and by Western Diagnostics solely for those undertaking testing as a part of their rehabilitation following a confirmed positive drug test result.

AMWU Queensland secretary, David Harrison, said MIM is to be congratulated for offering rehabilitation programs, but you don't need to have permanent cameras to achieve that end.

"How do you know if the things have been turned off? The AMWU also understands that, despite claims to the contrary, these cameras are capable of recording to computer disks. How can anyone be certain they are not recording? MIM offers no guarantees other than a verbal 'trust us'.

"It is simply not acceptable to have cameras permanently positioned and capable of use at any time. The whole thing is beyond belief and workers, male or female, should not have to be confronted by a camera in such a situation.

"The AMWU is also concerned that as part of the pre-employment testing program, employees of contractors, many of whom are AMWU members, have to be tested every twelve months in front of these cameras when they renew their site access card. This is in addition to them being subject to the random testing program when they are on site. This is over the top and they should simply be part of the random program like everyone else," Mr Harrison said.

For further information

Contact:	John Moran
Union:	Labor Council of NSW
Phone:	07-3366 9010
Contact Mobile:	0410-603 278
WWW:	http://www.amwu.asn.au

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