Three Watlington Waterworks drivers face the sack after walking off the job yesterday in protest against drug testing.

Two of the three tested positive while the third is still awaiting his results.

The trio had protested that not enough warning was given before the urine test which was conducted several weeks ago.

They said they felt they had not received a fair chance and that they should have had six to eight weeks' warning of the test.

Alan Rance, Chief Executive Officer at the Devonshire plant, said everybody in the bottled water division had been tested.

The results were given out at the end of last week although one of the strikers was away and has yet to hear the results.

"I have had cause to suspect that some people were using drugs,'' he said.

"There have been incidents in recent times.'' Mr. Rance refused to elaborate, but he admitted that other workers had tested positive from a division of around ten to 11 people. They, however, had continued to work. The drivers who failed the test have been demoted to driver's assistants until they have gone through a Employee Assistance Programme drug counselling.

But three walked out after the firm had advertised for new drivers.

Mr. Rance said: "They can have back their positions when we're satisfied they've successfully gone through rehab and there are vacancies for them to return.

"But their aren't enough drivers at the moment, where pulling out managers to do the driving. But we can't wait for however long it takes for these guys to go through rehab so we are hiring two new drivers.'' Under company agreements those failing drug tests can be sacked on the spot.

But Mr. Rance said: "We have been extremely fair. We see substance abuse as a treatable condition and will not take punitive action.'' But he said by walking off the job the three could be dismissed.

"That is now under review and must remain a possibility,'' he admitted.

"There is a limit to our patience.'' Mr. Rance said of the strikers: "I don't understand their aim -- by leaving here and announcing to the world that they've had a positive drug result.

"If I was in their boat, I wouldn't want anyone to know at all.'' He said the workers had been told the drug test was coming and that all employees understood when they joined that they must stay drug free and that random testing was possible.

"They felt more notice of the test appointment was needed so they could clean up their act. But this makes no sense of the entire process.'' "Anybody who works in a safety sensitive capacity such as driving or operating equipment is subject to scrutiny. That goes for the managers as well.

"It's important to point out that we are not going to have drivers of our vehicles on the public roads under the influence of any kind of substance.

"We have it enshrined in our employment handbook that we have a drug-free policy. Everyone who comes here must sign to say they have read it.''