The TTC's first day of random drug and alcohol testing has led to the suspension of not one, but two employees.
NEWSTALK 1010 has learned that a second employee failed the testing, in this case, a drug test.
Earlier today, we reported that the first unionized worker to be tested failed the alcohol breathalyzer.
With results from the drug tests taking two to three days, the TTC has just learned that another employee tested positive for an undisclosed drug.
TTC spokesperson Brad Ross says neither of the employees are operators, but they have a "safety sensitive" designated position, which includes maintenance workers, management and executives.
He says that the results are "disappointing" but it drives home the important point that random testing is needed at the TTC.
The one worker's blood alcohol level tested above 0.04 on a breathalyzer, which the TTC says is in their "impaired" range. Anything between 0.02 and 0.039 is deemed a "policy violation."
They are still awaiting the employee's drug test results.
The TTC is not disclosing which drug was found in the second employee's system.
Both employees have been suspended with pay pending separate investigations.
Ross says the TTC will decide what disciplinary action needs to be taken, which is decided on a case-by-case basis. An employee who fails a drug or alcohol test could be fired, depending on the situation.
The union says it has been notified of the test results and is looking into it.
"Our union will provide whatever support is needed to ensure a fair process for the individual involved," Kevin Morton, secretary-treasurer of Amalgamated Transit Union Local 113, says in a statement to NEWSTALK 1010.
The TTC expects to do 60-80 random tests each week, or 20 per cent of the safety sensitive workforce each year.
EMPLOYEES WERE WARNED
Ross says staff knew that random testing was to begin on Monday.
Employee guides were sent out to explain how the process works.
"If somebody said they didn't know, frankly that's not an excuse anyway," Ross tells NEWSTALK 1010.
He says that the vast majority of TTC employees "would not consider for a moment" to put themselves or the public at risk."I would say that the public has faith that the TTC has actually taken some action now to deal with an issue that we knew existed," Ross says.