Teck Resources Ltd. has been ordered by an arbitrator to stop random drug and alcohol testing on workers at all of its B.C. coal mines, effective immediately.

The union representing the workers says such testing — which it calls “an intrusion into workers’ rights” â€” has gone on for more than five years.

“[Teck] apparently pulled names out of a hat somehow and would select people and then force them to go into a random drug and alcohol test,” said Alex Hanson, president of