Union officials have called for equal treatment for all Government workers in a planned programme to erradicate drugs in the workplace.

The Bermuda Industrial Union wants all staff, from blue collar workers to the highest civil servants, to be treated exactly the same when it comes to implementing the `Drugs Don't Work Here' policy.

In particular they are concerned that any drug testing scheme is the same for all employees, from the chief executive officer to the shop floor worker.

BIU president Derrick Burgess was speaking after Home Affairs and Public Safety Minister Maxwell Burgess announced the expansion of the programme to include all 4,000 Government staff.

It will be the next step from the policy which worked successfully in many of the Island's hotels, and will be implemented by the National Drug Commission.

The NDC has started work on the project and hopes to see the first departments coming on line early next year.

Mr. Burgess said he was delighted at the news and was optimistic that it would work, although he had reservations.

"I must point out that, historically, implementing this policy in Government departments has met with one obstacle after another,'' he said.

"To date the only joint policy agreed by Government and BIU for Government workers, is the one implemented by the Public Transportation Board. This covers the Island's bus operators.

"In the light of the fact that this is an election year, I hope this plan does not amount to electioneering, because the scourge of drugs transcends politics. But there has been little movement in this area until now.'' He called for equality for both sides in implementation process so the agreement would be ratified by all concerned.

"This has not been the case in the past within Government.'' On the subject of drug testing, the BIU called for random tests for those workers who are responsible for the safety of others.

"However, for desk jobs for example, we believe in drug testing with cause.

But random testing for the sake of testing raises several legal issues.

"The rules must be the same for everyone, not just the subordinates.''