Drivers employed by the SF MTA might want to prepare for stricter new drug testing methods as well as in increase in their frequency. No, this isn’t retaliation for their refusal to agree to concessions expected to save the MTA $19 million over two years, it’s a result of stricter federal guidelines courtesy of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The SFMTA board of directors (assuming they can scare up enough members to meet) is scheduled to vote tomorrow on a litany of modifications to the heretofore relatively less stringent drug test experience.
What can our civil servants tasked with transportation duties expect? Lower cutoff levels for meth, cocaine and amphetamines that constitute a “positive” test result; an expectation of a 25% chance of being tested for drugs, and 10% chance of being tested for alcohol, each year; and a broader definition of what comprises a “refusal to test,” now including opposing the request to remove clothing barriers so an observer can assure the absence of cheating.
If adopted, these changes will go into effect October 1st of this year.
