Labor arbitrators are often called upon to decide whether an employer's decision to dismiss or suspend an employee with an alcohol or drug abuse problem is an infraction of the collective bargaining agreement. This study is an attempt to better understand labor arbitration in the transportation industry. Results of the study supported an Arbitration Decision Model and revealed several unexpected relationships. Employees responsible for public safety who have prior arrests, are members of a

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... union or are members of the Teamsters are likely to be treated more severely by arbitrators. Interestingly, employees in nonsafety sensitive positions who have prior arrests, are members of large unions or who are members of the Teamsters, are not more likely to be treated differently by arbitrators. While previous research suggests that arbitrators are more lenient in cases of drug abuse than in cases involving alcohol, this study does not support that conclusion.