KiwiRail has banned around 2,500 workers in safety-sensitive roles from using melatonin and Zopiclone, citing safety concerns based on a review by its chief medical officer.
The Rail and Maritime Union expressed surprise and concern over the sudden move, stating they were not consulted and questioning the timing and evidence behind the decision.
Many affected staff, particularly shift workers, have relied on these sleep aids for years to manage irregular hours and avoid fatigue.
The union says the ban could negatively impact worker well-being and productivity, and they are seeking clarity on whether exemptions or alternatives will be considered.
Is an employer banning the use of over-the-counter non-prescription supplements that are used outside of working hours? This is how the Govt mandated a certain vacine for a well known virus that was doing the rounds not long ago, get private enterprise to do your dirty work and then say ‘nobody forced you to’.
This must be how the government intends to regulate the use of supplements now that they can’t use Therapeutic Products Bill legislation.
Luxon and Co are using the same dog and pony show that Ardern and Hipkins used, uniparty not.
Gork says this ban only applies to Kiwirail workers who do shiftwork.
Approximately 2,500 KiwiRail workers are engaged in shift work, particularly those in safety-sensitive, front-line roles such as operating heavy machinery or trains. This figure is based on reports indicating that 2,500 workers were affected by a ban on sleep aids like melatonin and Zopiclone, which was specifically applied to shift workers in high-risk positions. Given KiwiRail’s total workforce of around 4,500, this suggests that roughly 55% of their employees are involved in shift work. These roles often involve rotating shifts, including overnight and weekend work, to maintain 24/7 rail and ferry operations.
And what will the unions do about this? Nothing, because they rolled over for the covid jab mandate they will roll over for this, in for a penny, in for a pound.
If the uniparty can get this over the line companies will be able to ban and test for any legal substance you may choose to take and you will have no protection.
Remember private and state own companies don’t have to abide by BORA.
Here comes the private police state.
Aka, fascism.
Global shipping logistic company UPS corporate culture directly resulted in airliner crashes and deaths by disciplining pilots (shift-workers), making them fearful of telling their employer that they are fatigued.
Ultimately KiwiRail will have more workplace accidents and incidents for this white lab coat decision.
Or perhaps this is the start of justifying increasing robotic and AI services to replace mums and dads in unavoidably dangerous workplace environments.
No,no,no, why do you think they are bring in the third world on mass, they will do the job and won’t complain and our GDP per capita will continue to decline.
I have done after hours and on call work, and on the days I was not working I judiciously used melatonin for sleep. Personally I was ultimately better when I used this and actually got sleep and woke up ready to tackle anything, rather than get up from lack of sleep, tired, fatigued and extremely irritable.