RETESTING AT THE EMPLOYEE'S REQUEST. FHWA regulations provide for a “split sample” procedure which requires a portion of each urine specimen to be retained in a separate, sealed container. A Bargaining Unit Member whose urine test is positive may request that the split sample be tested at a separate laboratory meeting the required Federal certification. FHWA regulations require that the Bargaining Unit Member makes such request to the MRO within 72 hours of learning of a verified positive test. All costs associated with retesting or split sample testing must be prepaid by the Bargaining Unit Member, including shipping and handling, transportation, testing and reporting to the MRO. Payment for split sample testing must be made by the Bargaining Unit Member within 72 hours of the request to the MRO for the test. If the result to the retest or split sample test is negative, the costs will be reimbursed to the Bargaining Unit Member. The City will review the results of a retest in consultation with laboratory staff and the MRO. If the results of the retest are negative, the City reserves the right to require the Bargaining Unit Member to provide a new urine sample for testing. If the City does not require a new test, or if the results of this new test are negative, the Bargaining Unit Member will be reinstated with no loss of seniority and paid for lost back wages, and void the record of discipline, if any, resulting from the primary specimen.
