Is the New York workplace law on drug testing as protective as Minnesotas?
New York State has no laws that require or regulate drug or alcohol testing of employees. Athletes who play for the Yankees or Mets, for example, would have to abide by the terms of the drug-testing program that is part of baseball’s collective bargaining agreement. But according to legal experts, Jets and Giants players might not be bound by New York labor laws since they play in New Jersey. “Their games are played in New Jersey. They practice in New Jersey. Where are the contracts negotiated and do the individual contracts have a governing law?” asks a New York-based labor attorney. Drug testing in New Jersey, “as part of an employee’s annual physical examination does not violate state constitutional prohibitions against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Outside of New York and New Jersey, athletes may have the benefit of stronger state workplace laws. Q: What would be the MLB union’s stand in such a situation, considering its drug-testing policy has been collectively bargained? A
