In a legal showdown rife with perplexity, Alaska Airlines is making a bold move to challenge a decision that ordered the reinstatement of an employee who tested positive for marijuana while on duty. The airline contends that this arbitration award defies the very essence of their collective bargaining agreement, setting the stage for a high-flying legal drama.
Arbitration Decision Under Scrutiny
Alaska Airlines, in an audacious legal maneuver, has petitioned a Washington federal judge to overturn a ruling by the System Board of Adjustment, which demanded the rehiring of Gregory Chappell. Mr. Chappell, a unionized worker represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association, faced termination after his mandatory drug test returned positive for marijuana.
Alaska Airlines Worker Pot Test : The Disputed Incident
Alaska Airlines maintains that the arbitration board’s decision failed to uphold the terms of the labor contract. The airline, however, has not yet disclosed the specifics of the arbitration board’s ruling. The lawsuit, targeting AMFA Local 14, based in SeaTac, Washington, asserts that the board overstepped its authority by reaching a decision that lacked factual or logical foundation.