A judge has granted a temporary injunction against random drug testing at the Suncor oilsands facilities in northeastern Alberta.

In June, Suncor announced to employees that it would impose random drug and alcohol testing starting Oct. 15, 2012.

However the union representing the workers — Communications, Energy and Paperworkers — is fighting the move, citing privacy issues.

The policy is expected to go before an arbitration board before the end of November.

In his decision Monday, Alberta Court of Queen's Bench Justice Eric Macklin said the policy is too significant to be implemented before ruled on by arbitrators, given the impact on employees.

Suncor said it is appealing the injunction to the Alberta Court of Appeal.

Suncor has had a drug-testing policy since 2003 that tests employees for drugs and alcohol following workplace accidents.