Boston Firefighters must now partake in employee drug testing.

Major developments in Boston USA has seen the City of Boston enforce a new law to drug test firefighter. Not currently enforced anywhere in the UK, this new legislation is a major move to cut out recreational drug use amongst public sector staff and servicemen.

This bold move from Boston authorities could potentially cost tax payers an incredible $74 million. Part of the move is that firefighters will receive up to a 20% pay rise.

Council President Michael Ross said the deal will not get a rubber stamp. “I need the firefighters to understand that they need to be our partners too at the table when it comes to the current challenges with regards to our municipal finances,” Ross said. “We have an unsustainable system right now. That’s the firefighters’ fight, too.”

The ruling is the culmination of years of nasty fighting and stalled contract talks between Local 718 and Menino, much of which centered around employee drug testing.

Firefighters have resisted drug testing, but the arbitrator ordered the union to accept random urine tests. The city wanted hair follicle testing, which reveals drug use for a longer period of time and is the method used to test police officers.

In a statement, Menino said: “I am required by law to support this award and to submit its finding to the City Council, who will decide whether or not to accept and fund the decision. I am not however bound to stay silent on the facts. This contract provides a 19 percent raise - which is 5 percent more expensive than the wages provided to other public safety agencies during successful negotiations. These facts speak for themselves.”

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