Port union fights imposed drugs and alcohol policy

A national row is brewing between Associated British Ports (ABP) and the T&G general union over the imposition of a new drugs and alcohol policy without proper consultation.

Graham Stevenson, the union’s national organiser for transport, said it was “entirely unsatisfactory” for the policy to be imposed in a company where the T&G is the recognised union and where managers were fully aware of concerns.

“This isn’t an issue of whether or not to have a drugs and alcohol policy,” he added. “It’s about having a policy which has been thought through, is credible, commands support and is seen to be both responsible and fair.”

Besides seeking to introduce random drug testing, the new policy fails to include union safety reps or committees in risk assessment, or to provide training for safety reps designated as witnesses in the random testing procedure.

It offers no training on substance awareness for staff, describing this as a “lifestyle” issue. Nor does it prioritise compassionate rehabilitation before investigation, discipline and punishment – an approach used in the bus industry, for example.

Stevenson has told local T&G officers who deal with ABP that, unless there is a serious move to address the union’s 12-point list of concerns, they should consider refusing to co-operate with the policy.