LTB 186/26 – RM Group Drugs and Alcohol National Collective Agreement – Briefing in Birmingham Tuesday 30th June

[POSTMAN]

https://www.cwu.org/ltb/ltb-186-26-rm-g ... 30th-june/

LTB 186/26 – RM Group Drugs and Alcohol National Collective Agreement – Briefing in Birmingham Tuesday 30th June
No.186/26

29th June 2026

Dear Colleague

ROYAL MAIL GROUP: DRUGS AND ALCOHOL NATIONAL COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT – BRIEFING IN BIRMINGHAM TUESDAY 30TH JUNE

Further to LTB 174/26. It has now been confirmed that the National Agreement will be rolled out from Monday 6th July and the six-month amnesty (no use of discipline following a positive test) will apply from that date.

Branches and Representatives in the five ROD areas not involved in the Drugs & Alcohol Pilot (Greater London, Midlands, North-West, South Midlands, and Yorkshire) plus Fleet Territorial Reps and Parcelforce Regional Organisers are reminded there will be a Briefing in the Birmingham District Amal Offices tomorrow on the National Collective Agreement from 11.30am – 2.30pm.

Our Senior Field Officials have been provided with the PowerPoint presentation we will be running through on the Agreement tomorrow and they can send this on if required by Branch Secretaries or Area Reps / ASRs. Hard copies will also be available tomorrow in Birmingham. Attached to this LTB are two employee Factsheets which we have agreed with RMG:

• The Support & Rehabilitation Services – available to all RMG employees

• For-Cause Testing – for Drivers only

Reps will have the opportunity to pose questions to the Officers tomorrow. Following our internal session, we will be joined by Fiona McAslan, RMG Head of Wellbeing and Occupational Health, and a representative from the independent Drugs & Alcohol testing supplier, Abbott Laboratories, who will also be able to respond to any questions our Reps may have.

Yours sincerely,

Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary

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This has some obvious issues with non-prescribed medication such as cannabis or opiates, positive tests.

How can the employer give a six-month amnesty with a positive result?

What if the employee is a driver who will drive under the influence, or a machine operator?

What danger does the employee pose to other employees or those not in the business's employ with vicarious liability?

The employee will need to be suspended pending a report from occupational health.
Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations (Risk Assessment)