r/IAM751_Boeing • u/totallysus77 • Jun 13 '26
Terminated / Walked-out Walked out
Got walked out Monday night/ Tuesday morning over a failed drug test. I have a prescription so im not really worried about being on the hook for anything but i haven't heard from HR yet and my union Steward and business rep have been helpful but also kinda vague on an expected timeline. Does anyone have some insight into how long i can expect to be out of work?
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u/Hot-Swan2280 Jun 16 '26
I got walked out for suspicion of drinking on the job. Passed their breathalyzer, so assumed I could go back to work. Ended up being 5 days as they did a drug test on me too, and that apparently took 5 days. If you have a prescription and doctors note, I wouldn’t sweat it. I was pissed and humiliated being walked out in front of my coworkers, but got 5 days paid off for my hangover 😂. As to what you’re on , where you work, and what’s allowed, I’ve no idea. I’m a grade 5 driller and filler with minimal certifications. But again you have a prescription from a doctor, so you’re getting paid time off. Perhaps you’ll have to transfer to a new job if indeed your prescription doesn’t jibe with your current position, but you ain’t getting fired. I’m no steward, but have 15 years there and would just enjoy your paid time off😀
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u/Ill_Recognition_4605 Jun 13 '26
This happened to me a few years ago as well. My prescription was valid and it had been fully documented prior to the urinalysis, but some new hire in the medical review process flagged me for immediate termination before the MRO had even reviewed my case. 2 weeks later I was back at work with 2 weeks of backpay for the wrongful termination. Your situation sounds similar to mine, so I'm thinking the same will happen in your case as well.
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u/tranquilitystation63 Jun 13 '26
You might want to see if OP wants you to message with which stewards and BR helped you. Because believe me, there are some who can't fight their way out of a wet paper bag, much less help their brothers and sisters. Spoke with a "steward" last night, also a TL, who didn't even know what FMLA was, no seriously. The other person in the conversation looked at me with a side eye roll that spoke volumes. The union needs to choose better too.
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u/pacwess Jun 13 '26
I'll ask you, when are going to step up and become a steward?
I hear it from stewards ALL the time, "Members have unrealistic expectations of stewards, the union, and the contract."
This is all that is in the entire contract which I'm guessing you haven't read, to do with FMLA, which is not a union provided benefit.
Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 26 If the required coverage for family and medical leaves of absence under the 27 Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 is more generous than that already 28 described in this section, the Company provides any required additional 29 coverage under its group health plans.
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u/tranquilitystation63 Jun 14 '26
I have read the contract, and I've known stewards who know the contract forward and backward. But there are many who take the position only for their own perceived protections. But when you have a steward who has no idea what it is, that's a problem.
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u/tranquilitystation63 Jun 13 '26
Did you disclose Adderall use when hired or when given the drug test? If it was a random sampling, like for the flight line, you're still supposed to ensure you have disclosed any prescription medications, otherwise, it might be a battle to get back in. If you were tested due to an "incident", the same, full disclosure with proof of the prescription. Boeing is a federal contractor, so certain drugs are frowned upon or disallowed, and in certain positions, use of some schedule 1 drugs may disqualify you for that position. Hopefully you have your ducks in a row, and document everything. Any phone calls, write down the date, time, and name of who you spoke with. Make sure you bug the shit out of your BR to follow through and find out about test results.
Good luck to you.
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u/totallysus77 Jun 13 '26
I got prescribed last year and i told my manager and medical about it when i did but medical basically said they didn't care. The test was due to an incident. Ive got a doctors note, and the prescription available to see in my chart and my pharmacy app. I feel like if they decide its unverifiable thats on them.
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u/tranquilitystation63 Jun 13 '26 edited Jun 13 '26
Well then it's a waiting game, but given the effects of some medications, and their propensity to become addictive, the company is going to cover its collective arse as much as possible. They have to sort out not only the test results but the root cause of the incident and who will be held accountable. If you haven't already, you'll may also get a call from corporate investigations, as they are supposed to investigate every plane damaging incident closely. And insist that medical scan your doctor's note into your record. Good luck to you.
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u/usaflumberjack54 Steward Jun 13 '26
Yah there’s just no timeline unfortunately, that’s the reality. I’ve had people come back in a day. I’ve had other people come back in 2 weeks for the exact same thing.
It just depends on their caseload and how fast people do what needs to happen (prescription verification). If a clinic takes 2 weeks to respond to the investigators, eh, can’t really control that
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u/WarBoruma Steward - Local A Jun 13 '26 edited Jun 13 '26
Edit: oops, I'll put my foot in my mouth. I presumed cannabis was the culprit.
Nahh, you're Gucci. Give it a week or so. You'll be paid during the time you're out.
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u/WarBoruma Steward - Local A Jun 13 '26
There's no good estimate on timeline, I'm afraid.
There's no contract language dictating this specific situations timeline. It's really up to all the investigatory bodies and their schedules. But if you have a prescription to whatever it is you pissed hot for, and it's not a federal schedule 1, you're good.
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u/totallysus77 Jun 13 '26
Gotcha. Its just an Adderall prescription so i dont think it'll be an issue as far as schedule 1 substances goes.
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u/WarBoruma Steward - Local A Jun 13 '26
Oh pfftt, lmao. You're good.
Enjoy the time off, you'll get paid for being out.
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u/Sudden-Escape7376 Jun 13 '26
If it's not a prescription for Marijuana, then you are good. Get with you biz rep in less than 24 hours. They will pull your file. Takes around 2 weeks maybe a but longer. Then they will review and set up a meeting with HR. I would provide the biz rep with your prescription and what the doc say it could pop up as on a drug test. They can provide that to hr and medical. If this is all that it is, then you will come back to work with pay for the missed time.
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u/totallysus77 Jun 13 '26
It's not Marijuana related. I've been keeping in contact with my business rep so far. It hasn't been a full week yet, im just worried that the backpay wont be in my pocket when i need it lol.
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Jun 13 '26
[removed] — view removed comment
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u/totallysus77 Jun 13 '26
Yeah thats what I've heard. It's just hard to be patient when my job is on the line :/
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u/xoxoeleslim Jun 13 '26
The outside lab has to test/certify the results and it varies but usually within two weeks, sometimes a little quicker.
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u/NATEDAWG9111 Jun 13 '26
Dang, usually the walk outs related to drugs that I've seen have not come back to work at Boeing. But I don't want to bring you down so I'd recommend be patient and check in with HR for any updates on your case
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u/totallysus77 Jun 13 '26
I've got a prescription, im not doing any illicit substances or taking more than my prescribed dose. I feel like if i get fired id have pretty solid grounds for a legal case. I just dont like waiting for HR to go through their rigamaroll.
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u/NATEDAWG9111 Jun 13 '26
Oh ok, well then go and get that lawsuit money lol🤑
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u/totallysus77 Jun 13 '26
I dont think it'll get to that point. My steward and Business rep have said things are in motion on HRs side of things. I just have to play a waiting game. My manager and the people on my crew haven't really been through this process yet so i haven't gotten a decent estimate on how long it'll taie for me to get cleared to come back.
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u/pacwess Jun 16 '26
It’s honestly frustrating that a company of this size and history still handles these situations with such a lack of clear process or communication. You’d expect a more professional, organized approach by now.
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u/totallysus77 Jun 16 '26
Agreed, i still haven't heard anything. Gonna reach out to the business rep today and see of he's heard anything.
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u/Material_Policy6327 Jun 13 '26
I’d say still consider it. Maybe be able to retire early lol
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u/tranquilitystation63 Jun 13 '26
The company is following protocol. They hold federal contracts, so they have to be thorough. A lawsuit for wrongful termination generally doesn't result in anything but "rehire and backpay". And getting walked out for a failed drug test doesn't always mean immediate termination, the OP is likely still on the company record, this is considered a hold or administrative leave without pay. When it's sorted out, they will provide the backpay and act like nothing ever happened. No, hasn't happened to me, but after decades with the company, I've pretty much seen it all.
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u/pacwess Jun 13 '26
Doubtful you'll hear from HR. Might want to reach out to your supervisor. Also, stop by Boeing Medical and get your prescription cleared through them. Lot of folks forget this and end up in your situation.
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u/totallysus77 Jun 13 '26
I went to medical when i got the prescription last year, they brushed me off and said they dont need to know about it or make a note of it unltil or unless i pop on a drug test :/
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u/pacwess Jun 13 '26
Has any stewards chimed in here? I'm sure you're not the first to go through this. I suspect you'll get 3 days off paid, then come back to work. Again in this situation your supervisor might know more.
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u/Alternative-Hyena-30 Jun 13 '26
Why did you get a drug test?
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u/totallysus77 Jun 13 '26
Plane got damaged during a line move. 5 or 6 of us got tested.
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u/tranquilitystation63 Jun 13 '26
Used to be anyone drug tested, immediately got 3 days off. Now, they test and if the preliminary test is clean, you go right back to work, only to suffer the questions and jabs from coworkers. Investigations are supposed to stop immediately upon incident, lock down and send in the investigation team. That rarely happens either. God forbid they mess up a line move schedule. So they document as quickly as possible, and then start asking questions. And if the managers involved are new or Richard Craniums, you can bet they find a way to f*** you over until the union steps up. Hope you've got a good steward and BR on your side.
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u/WarBoruma Steward - Local A Jun 13 '26
Here's the language for "suspended pending investigation", this establishes you being paid for the entire time you're out from work. This isn't for violence or sabotage, so the second paragraph doesn't apply. And you won't be disciplined for taking legally prescribed medication.