LOCAL : Bid to Halt Drug Tests Rejected

Superior Court Judge David Yaffe rejected a bid today by a coalition of unions seeking to suspend a drug-testing program for Los Angeles County job applicants pending the outcome of a hearing on whether the unions should have a greater say in the program.

Beginning July 2, the county began requiring applicants to certain jobs to take the drug tests, including county employees seeking transfers.

The job positions fell into three categories: those in public safety such as sheriff’s deputies, lifeguards and ambulance drivers; equipment operators such as trash truck drivers, and those whose jobs carried large financial responsibilities such as lawyers and accountants.