Grant Thomson v Boral Construction Materials Limited [2011] NSWIRComm 1045

Industrial Relations Commission New South Wales Medium Neutral Citation: Grant Thomson v Boral Construction Materials Limited [2011] NSWIRComm 1045 Decision date: 01 September 2011 Before: Connor C Decision: Order for reinstatement in employment made - claim for payment for loss of earnings declined. Catchwords: DISMISSAL - cement industry - referral of an industrial dispute - failure of witnesses to obey a summons to appear - adjournment application granted for part of hearing - evidence to be admitted in hearing - role of a union delegate - drug and alcohol testing as part of a medical examination - whether a drug test by urine sample is required for a medical examination - refusal to take part in a medical examination involving a drug test by urine sample - directions to other employees not to continue the medical examination with a drug test - allegations of misconduct - allegedly abusive conduct to nursing staff at a medical clinic - allegations denied - onus and standard of proof required Legislation Cited: Industrial Relations Act 1996 Occupational Health and Safety Act 2000 Rail Safety Act 2008 Transport Administration Act 1988 Federal Fair Work Australia Act 2009 Federal Workplace Relations Act 1996 Cases Cited: Burge v BHP Steel Pty Limited (2001) 105 IR 325 Busways v Johnson (1994) 55 IR 255 Re Clarke and the Metropolitan Meat Industry Board (1967) AR 16 Garden Island Dockyard Case (1964) 107 CAR 806 Gorman v Broken Hill Proprietary Company Limited [2000] NSWIRComm 1079 Holcim (Australia) Pty Limited v Transport Workers' Union of New South Wales [2010] NSWIRComm 1068 Hollingsworth v Commissioner of Police No.2 (1999) 88 IR 282 Homebush Abattoir Case (1966) AR 371 John Lysaght (Australia) Limited v Federated Ironworkers' Association (1972) AILR Rep.517 Jones v Dunkel (1959) 101 CLR 298 Jovanovski v BlueScope Steel (AIS) Pty Limited [2007] NSWIRComm 1019 Jupiter General Insurance Company Limited v Andeshir Bomanji Shroff (1937) 3 All ER 67 Newcastle Steel Works Case (1961) AR 48 O'Brien v Linfox Limited [2001] NSWIRComm 1948 Pastrycooks Employees, Biscuit Makers Employees and Flour and Sugar Goods Workers Union v Gartrell White No.3 (1990) 35 IR 70 Perkins v Grace Worldwide (Australia) Pty Limited (1997) 72 IR 186 Plummer v Stannard Brothers Launch Service (2005) 143 IR 111 Public Service Association of New South Wales v Macquarie Generation (1961) AR 48 Public Service Association and Professional Officers' Association Amalgamated Union of New South Wales v Department of Corrective Services (2006) 153 IR 125 Public Service Professional Officers' Association of New South Wales v Forestry Commission of New South Wales (1990) 39 IR 46 Roberts v Mona Vale District Hospital (1975) 2 NSWLR 132 Sewell v New South Wales Police Force (2008) 174 IR 247 Seychelles v. Linfox Distribution Group - unreported South Sydney City Council v Federated Municipal and Shire Council Employees Union (1989) 28 IR 363 Subramaniam v Public Prosecutor (1916) 1 WLR 965 Sydney Ferries Corporation v Seamen's Union of Australia (2009) 186 IR 99 Transport Workers' Union of Australia v CWS Transport Services Pty Limited (1990) 39 IR 8 Re Vassis; ex parte Leung (1985/1986) 9 FCR 518 Wang v Crestell Industries Pty Limited (1997) 73 IR 454 Woolstar Pty Limited v Federated Storemen and Packers Union of Australia (1992) 45 IR 39 Category: Principal judgment Parties: Australian Workers Union (applicant)