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Cross-industry union Unite is calling for its representatives
working in electrical engineering, electronics and IT to gain
access to environmental impact information from the companies
they work for.
The union also says company executives' pay and bonuses should
be linked to meeting environmental targets.
The suggestions are detailed in a new report published by
Unite
- 'How Green Is My Workplace?' - based on a survey
of 10,000 Unite members in the electronics and IT sector.
The report gives guidance on how union representatives can
raise awareness of environmental issues to make workplaces
greener.
According to the survey, 83 per cent of Unite members believe
their workplace wastes energy and resources and 87 per cent
believe unions should be involved in designing and implementing
measures that help to improve the environmental impact of
workplaces.
Two success stories highlighted in the report include Fujitsu
and wind turbine maker Cummins.
Unite members at Cummins have helped to establish
an environmental committee to reflect the eco-credentials
of the employer. The company aims to recycle all waste produced
in its manufacturing processes.
At Fujitsu, Unite members take part in the company's
Green Team initiative and have introduced environmental training
for employees.
"I very much welcome the contribution that Unite - Britain's
biggest union - is making to this important debate" - said
Hilary Benn, secretary of state for the environment, food
and rural affairs. "Trade unionists can really help change
to happen in the workplace as part of the move to a lower-carbon
economy. I hope this publication will be widely read and will
raise awareness of climate change."
The report also recommends that trade union representatives
should have consultation rights on purchasing and supply decisions
which can affect the environmental impact of the workplace.
In cases of offshoring, companies should be made to report
on the environmental impact of relocation to ensure that firms
are not avoiding robust environmental regulation or labour
standards by relocating, says the report.
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