“The board acted in excess of its jurisdiction and authority because the award lacked foundation in fact or reason, did not draw its essence from the CBA, and amounted to dispensing its own brand of industrial justice,” the airline contends.
Alaska Airlines Worker Pot Test : The Case Unfolds
The narrative takes a thrilling twist as we delve into the details. Chappell underwent a random drug test in July 2022, and Alaska Airlines subsequently interviewed him regarding the results. Chappell vehemently denied any marijuana use. His role within the airline involved the inspection and repair of aircraft, a position of utmost importance.
In response to Chappell’s termination, the union filed a grievance to challenge the decision. The System Board of Adjustment, convened under the Railway Labor Act, concluded in an October award that the airline’s stringent zero-tolerance drug policy was justified. The arbitration panel included a neutral arbitrator, a union representative, and a company representative, according to the airline’s legal complaint.
Chappell’s Curious Defense
The enigma deepens as Chappell postulated that his positive drug test might have been a result of inadvertently consuming a marijuana edible at a social gathering. The board, in its deliberation, found that a manager who interviewed Chappell failed to relay specific information to a disciplinary team regarding Chappell’s claim of accidental ingestion.
