LTB 035/25 - ROYAL MAIL: DRUGS & ALCOHOL - FOR-CAUSE TESTING PILOT EXTENSION
No.035/25
Dear Colleague
ROYAL MAIL: DRUGS & ALCOHOL – FOR-CAUSE TESTING PILOT EXTENSION
Further to LTB 001/25 dated 2nd January, we are pleased to report there have been no For-Cause tests in the first five weeks amongst the Pilot Group, which is limited to Drivers only in Wales.
As expected, due to the lack of data for analysis, Royal Mail proposed an extension to the geographical areas of the Pilot and the Postal Executive has consequently agreed that two new ROD areas will be included – Anglia & the South West, along with the English workplaces in the Wales ROD area (Chester, Shrewsbury & The Wirral).
In line with established Postal Executive policy, Royal Mail has agreed that the extension will apply to Drivers only. We have also agreed the extended Pilot will run from Monday 11th March until Friday 2nd May (for Wales this will take the Pilot to 16 weeks in total). It should be noted that the extended Pilot, in keeping with the Terms of Reference for Wales, does not include Drivers in Parcelforce.
The ToR previously agreed for Wales (attached) will be extended to include the Anglia and South West ROD areas. In practice this means the full terms are applicable into the extended Pilot. Crucially, there will be no discipline arising from positive tests during the Pilot, provided members in these circumstances agree to participate in the new Support and Rehabilitation programme. In essence, this means that any member who fails a drugs or alcohol test during the Pilot and who takes up the offer of the Support and Rehabilitation service will not be taken down the Conduct route. There are two caveats to this – a positive drug/alcohol test on the roadside following an accident/incident where the police are involved, or an individual being found in the possession of illegal drugs in the workplace.
Briefings for Anglia and South West Representatives
We will be holding two briefings for our Divisional Reps, Branch Secretaries, Area Reps and Area Safety Reps in Anglia and the South West ROD Areas as follows:
South West
Friday 28th February – 11.30am – 2.30pm
Brunel’s Boardroom and Breakout Room
The Engine Shed, Station Approach, Temple Meads, Bristol, BS1 6QH
Anglia
Monday 3rd March – 11.30am – 2.30pm
M.G Hall
Indian YMCA, 41 Fitzroy Square, London W1T 6AQ
We will be running through the full details of the ToR for the extended Pilot and the protections and safeguards we have secured for our members in both the ToR and the Colleague Framework document. Obviously, there will be an opportunity for a Q&A session at the Briefings.
Andy Furey, Assistant Secretary, continues to lead on this matter, supported by Rob Wotherspoon, Postal Executive member, Ralph Ferrett (South Wales) and Paul Dugdale (North Wales). One of our Anglia Div Reps will also take on a similar supporting role. We meet with Royal Mail management on a weekly basis and this activity will be ongoing.
The Postal Executive will also be closely monitoring the Pilot and all Branches will be kept informed of any key developments as the extended Pilot progresses.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
Tony Bouch
Assistant Secretary
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