TWA Employees Fail to Block Drug Tests

A federal judge Friday refused to issue a temporary restraining order that would bar Trans World Airlines from testing employees for drug use and alcohol abuse.

U.S. District Judge Louis Oberdorfer ruled that the International Assn. of Machinists and Aerospace Workers failed to demonstrate a need for a temporary restraining order under the Railway Labor Act.

The union, which represents TWA employees, contended that the airline was violating the terms of labor contracts by unilaterally implementing the drug testing program that was announced Sunday.

The judge said that pending final determination of the union’s lawsuit, employees could challenge the legality of the drug testing through arbitration proceedings provided by their labor contracts.