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The union representing Suncor workers in northern Alberta said Thursday it is seeking a last-minute injunction next week to block company plans to start a controversial random drug and alcohol testing program.

Unifor has been battling the energy giant for more than five years to stop a scheme it argues will violate the privacy of approximately 3,000 members. But Suncor insists it is needed to protect people and equipment.

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“Despite our commitment and efforts, we continue to have pressing safety concerns in the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo (RMWB) related to workplace alcohol and drug use,” the company wrote in an Oct. 19 memo obtained by Postmedia.

“Suncor continues to have safety incidents in the RMWB involving alcohol and drugs, including life-altering injuries, fatalities, an alarming number of ongoing positive tests, as well as hundreds of security incidents.”

The memo says testing will begin Dec. 1 for employees in safety-sensitive positions or who play a key role in Suncor operations around Fort McMurray.