LTB 224/25 - ROYAL MAIL: DRUGS & ALCOHOL - FOR-CAUSE TESTING PILOT
- Angela Wright CWU Branch Communications Officer
- Oct 20
- 2 min read
No. 224/25
Dear Colleague
ROYAL MAIL: DRUGS & ALCOHOL – FOR-CAUSE TESTING PILOT
Further to LTB 157/25 dated 30th July. The For-Cause Testing Pilot for Drugs & Alcohol has been operating now for just over nine months since the original Pilot commenced in January in Wales, with subsequent extensions into the Anglia, South West, South East, South Central and Northern Ireland ROD areas. During this period, Royal Mail has reported there have been just four tests, only one of which was positive. The individual concerned agreed to enter into the Support & Rehabilitation Programme and was therefore not taken down the conduct route, in accordance with our agreement for the Pilot.
Extension of Current For-Cause Testing Pilot into Scotland and North East
We met with Royal Mail on 17th September, as planned, to jointly review the Pilot from across the six ROD areas and during that meeting both parties agreed there would be a further extension of the Pilot, in terms of both duration and geography, with both the Scotland and North East ROD areas being included from January 2026 until the end of March. The protections for our members will continue across the extended Pilot – i.e there will be no discipline arising from positive tests, provided members in these circumstances agree to participate in the Support and Rehabilitation programme. The two previously agreed caveats will continue to apply – 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. For ease of reference, attached at Appendix A Agreed Terms of Reference for the original Pilot, Appendix B Support & Rehabilitation Guide and Appendix C For-Cause Testing Colleague Framework Pilot Approach.
Negotiations to Erect a National Agreement for For-Cause Testing for Drivers
Both parties have also committed to begin negotiations to erect a National Agreement on Drugs & Alcohol For-Cause Testing for introduction from Monday 6th April 2026. Crucially, the roll-out will apply to all driving roles including Parcelforce. The Agreement will exclude non-driving roles and will focus on For-Cause Testing, which means there will be no random testing. We will be scheduling a number of negotiating meetings with Royal Mail with the aim of concluding a National Agreement, which will be placed before the Postal Executive for endorsement once finalised.
The extended Pilot and the commitment to commence negotiations for a National Agreement has been endorsed by the Postal Executive and further developments will be reported.
Yours sincerely,
Andy Furey
Assistant Secretary
Davie Robertson
Assistant Secretary
Tony Bouch
Assistant Secretary
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