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Trade Unions – Part of the Solution

The Trade Union Response to Climate Change Institute of Employment Rights 23/10/07 Caroline Molloy TUC Greenworkplaces Project Leader. Trade Unions – Part of the Solution. The power of collective action Organising members round area of growing concern

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Trade Unions – Part of the Solution

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  1. The Trade Union Response to Climate ChangeInstitute of Employment Rights 23/10/07Caroline MolloyTUC Greenworkplaces Project Leader

  2. Trade Unions – Part of the Solution • The power of collective action • Organising members round area of growing concern • Healthier workplaces & cleaner communities • Sustainable jobs – rising energy costs • Environmental justice, including justice between the generations, international angle, fuel poverty • A ‘just transition’ to a low carbon economy

  3. ‘Greenworkplace project’ aims (1) • Build capacity amongst union members to tackle climate change • In 6 pilot workplaces: • Increase energy & climate change awareness of union members (and potential members) • Cut energy use & CO2 emissions (actual and/or projected), changing behaviour and technical issues • Identify and train environmental reps

  4. Aims (2) • Give them space and structure to define the key issues and begin to tackle them • Enable them to measure energy and carbon savings • Build on existing Carbon Trust work – implementation, behaviour vs capital investment • Negotiate towards framework agreements

  5. Who were the key participants? • Funded by the Carbon Trust • Overseen by a steering group made up of TUSDAC members, chaired by Paul Noon • 6 workplaces – British Museum, TUC (London), DEFRA (York), Scottish Power, Corus (Wolverhampton), Friends Provident (4 sites)

  6. How did we set up the projects? • Selected organisations • Met union reps, officials and management • Surveyed workforce • Held open days/events with local groups • 1 day training (plus half day follow up) • Carried out ‘energy audits’ • Produced materials & showed films • Negotiated for bargaining structures

  7. Outcomes (1) • “The most interest we’ve ever had in a union event – people were queuing 5 deep throughout.” – Friends Provident steward after lunchtime stall • Management recognised importance of union involvement – eg 25% of workforce attended BM event compared to 5% typical for management-led initiatives. • Around 15 reps, mostly new, trained, and 100% positive feedback from courses • Facilities time achieved, reps able to get management to measure/report on carbon and energy for first time – eg DEFRA

  8. Outcomes (2) • TUC – cut night time energy use in half, cut waste to landfill by 40%, agreed new solar thermal system • Audits undertaken by reps following training – BM saved 7% of electricity use in 1 year, agreed new low carbon wing • New bargaining structures (ie joint environmental committees) & framework agreements established or worked towards, • Links established between unions and local community groups (FOE etc)

  9. Lessons from the pilot projects (1) • Huge organising potential for unions • Union input vital to achieve ‘green’ goals • Most organisations can save 20% of energy with simple low cost measures & behaviour change • Need for early wins to sustain momentum

  10. Lessons from the pilot projects (2) • Reps want to look at ‘what’ the workplace does, not just ‘how’ it does it • Grassroots-initiated projects work best • Need buy-in at all levels (organisation & union) • Other issues arise – water, waste, transport • Time off & statutory rights for reps crucial • ‘Fair shares’?

  11. Next steps (1)… • Sample surveys, ‘how to run open days’ and further guidance for environment reps available on website www.sustainableworkplace.co.uk • Unions & Environment courses eg South Thames College 14-16 November, Darlington 6-8 December, Exeter 19th Feb 2008 – online course to be launched at end of the year • UMF – support for further 10-15 projects starting January 2008

  12. Next steps (2) • Issues that can be part of an environmental agreement – negotiating rights and facilities time, travel plans, health and safety especially around workplace temperature, working time, new technology, relocation, catering, and much more • Seminars for officers – Spring 2008 • Branch remits & motions – esp. on union internal policies, environment reps rights • Join environment reps discussion at www.unionreps.org.uk • Contact – cmolloy@tuc.org.uk

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