The Trade Union Response to Climate Change Institute

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 n n n 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

‘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 & CO 2 emissions (actual and/or projected), changing behaviour and technical issues Identify and train environmental reps

Aims (2) n n 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

Who were the key participants? n n n 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)

How did we set up the projects? n n n n 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

Outcomes (1) n n “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 managementled 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

Outcomes (2) n n 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)

Lessons from the pilot projects (1) n n 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

Lessons from the pilot projects (2) n n n 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’?

Next steps (1)… n n n 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 19 th Feb 2008 – online course to be launched at end of the year UMF – support for further 10 -15 projects starting January 2008

Next steps (2) n n n 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