The Associated Builders and Contractors Empire State Chapter has petitioned the New York City Council to implement mandatory drug and alcohol testing for all city construction workers—noting in a letter to City Council Speaker Melissa Mark-Viverito and City Council Member Jumaane Williams that drug testing is commonly required in industries that are less dangerous than construction. While ABC insists the drug testing measure would increase safety, building trade unions have long opposed mandatory testing and said there’s no reason to believe that drugs and alcohol have played a role in the increased incidences of injuries and deaths during the last few years.

ABC has requested that testing be made part of Intro. 1447, which is the same controversial bill that would require all New York City construction workers to complete an apprenticeship program before being allowed to work on city jobsites.