Network Rail Drug & Alcohol Standard Working Group

Our Ref: HSR/1/1

Head Office Circular: NP/475/21

24th December 2021

To: The Secretary

ALL BRANCHES

REGIONAL COUNCILS

 

Dear Colleague,

 

NETWORK RAIL DRUG & ALCOHOL STANDARD WORKING GROUP

 

Further to Head Office Circular NP/312/21, dated 19th August, 2021, following receipt of a report from the RMT Lead Officer, at its meeting on 23rd December, 2021, your National Executive Committee (NEC) noted and adopted the following report from its Health and Safety Sub-committee:

 

We note the report on file from the Lead Officer.

 

The General Secretary is instructed to write to Network Rail requesting testing figures on depots compared with sites and Network Rail employees compared with contractors, also to reiterate our concerns about our members who are prescribed medication such as Tramodol testing positive for a substance that is being taken as prescribed by their GP.

 

We note, however, that the RSSB consultation will supersede this and the General Secretary is instructed to give precedence to this and engage with the RSSB consultation in order to provide the best protection for RMT members and their rights.

 

Branches and Regional Councils to be informed.

 

I am acting in accordance with these instructions. Please bring the contents of this circular to the attention of relevant members.

 

Yours sincerely

 

 

 

Michael Lynch

General Secretary