Gate Gourmet Group – Drug and Alcohol Policy

Our Ref: HSR/1/1

Head Office Circular: NP/447/21

10^th December 2021

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

GATE GOURMET GROUP – DRUG AND ALCOHOL POLICY

 

Following receipt of concerns about unqualified and untrained local management carrying our drug and alcohol testing, your National Executive Committee, at its meeting on 9^th December 2021, noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee

 

We note the correspondence on file. This Union has grave concerns about the capability and impartiality of the individuals carrying out the tests, and their ability to perform such tests in a controlled environment.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to write to the company demanding a meeting with the Lead Officer at the earliest opportunity, informing it that RMT has already written to the ORR on this matter and will write again should matters not be resolved. Further, RMT will be in dispute with the company should such a meeting not be arranged within five working days of our demand for one. The General Secretary is also instructed to write to LNER, the DfT and the Scottish Government outlining our concerns, and to prepare a ballot matrix.

 

Relevant members and Regional Councils to be informed.

 

Gate Gourmet members to be informed by text and email.

 

The letter written to the ORR referred to above is as follows:

 

I have serious concerns about the carrying out of drug and alcohol testing by Gate Gourmet managers in Edinburgh.

 

The management in question are neither qualified nor trained to undertake such duties.

 

Further, such managers stand accused of, amongst other things, bullying and false accusations against staff.

 

My members feel that the managers’ lack of impartiality may cloud their judgment to the extent of tampering with such tests in order to target individuals with whom they may have issues.

 

I would be grateful if you would investigate this matter at your very earliest convenience.

 

I am acting in accordance with these instructions and will keep members advised of any developments.

 

Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary

www.rmt.org.uk/healthandsafety