GMB’s green agenda
Campaigns
The union has adopted a special report, looking at climate
change, global warming and sustainable development
■ Environmentally aware
C
ongress 2008 adopted being taken to ensure that GMB
Recycling just one
to look into the situation and
an ambitious special has infl uence on both sourcing
tonne of paper can
work towards sustainability and
report, The Green and levels of sustainability in recycling across the UK.
Agenda and GMB: future contract negotiations.
save 3,700 pounds of
Between 1995 and 2005,
Climate Change, Global Warming The GWG will initially lumber and 24,000 transport was the UK’s fastest
and Sustainable Development. be steered by the Health and
gallons of water
growing sector. Air transport
This important document Environment Department, and is the largest contributor to
focused on GMB’s internal consists of lay representatives, greenhouse gases. Airports
arrangements and outlined with involvement from specialist themselves have reduced
negotiation and training agendas staff and the NAU. emissions from terminals while
for union offi cers, activists and At this stage, the GWG will usage has increased dramatically.
workplace representatives across prioritise the work of GMB GMB will look at the need to
all industrial sectors. environmental representatives, set up environmental committees
even though there is no at each airport, to give union reps
Internal arrangements legislation to give trade unions and workers input on how to
The report outlined internal the legal right to elect dedicated manage a range of green issues.
arrangements for vehicle reps. GMB intends to survey In the construction industry,
provision, energy consumption existing representatives at GMB is looking at two areas.
and the carbon footprint, workplace level, to establish
An average-sized
The fi rst is the introduction of
internal sustainability, the Green whether reps elected under a the Site Waste Management
Working Group (GWG), and different title are undertaking an
offi ce of 50 staff
Plans (SWMP). This move will
environmental representatives. equivalent role. By demonstrating can throw away have both positive and negative
In terms of vehicle provision, the effectiveness of this role,
over 7,000 cans
effects, and creates a need to
GMB’s senior management team GMB plans to be in a position to educate GMB reps regarding
agreed to change the model of infl uence future thinking.
and bottles per
these proposals in order that
car supplied by Toyota from the
year. Recycling this
they can effectively challenge
Avensis to the Prius, as of April External arrangements
amount instead
unnecessary waste in the future.
this year. The move will bring a GMB’s sectional interests
of throwing them
The second area is a Green
28% reduction in carbon dioxide include waste and recycling, civil Skills Agenda, which will require
emissions from the GMB fl eet. aviation and housing. In terms of
in a bin would
a skilled workforce that’s trained
All electricity for GMB-owned waste and recycling, GMB has save enough in new areas. GMB will monitor
buildings is to be sourced from a looked at the issues that face this
energy to power
and develop this in the future so
single provider, enabling better sector and meetings are taking
all 50 employees’
that decent jobs are protected and
measurement of consumption place with the Department for new skills are developed.
and greater effi ciency. the Environment, Fisheries
computers for over
In addition, the union’s and Rural Affairs (DEFRA), six working weeks! The way forward
National Administration Unit GMB faces tough decisions and
(NAU) is drawing up guidelines potential criticisms regarding
that will enable GMB to be more some areas of our industrial and
effi cient in the energy it uses on
■ GMB Workplace Environment Policy
environmental strategy. The main
its computers.
This policy addresses the GMB aims to:
task as a progressive trade union
The Birmingham and West
environmental challenges that
is to represent our members’
Midlands Region has volunteered
face GMB members, now and in 1
Help train GMB offi cers, reps
and activists regarding a range
collective interests and this does
to serve as an environmental pilot
the future, and forms a basis for of environmental issues.
not have to be to the detriment
project, and the Carbon Trust is the negotiation of Environmental of environmental policies.
conducting a free audit to help
Workplace Agreements (EWAs) 2
Work with management,
employers, staff and other
GMB will lead by example,
identify high priority areas.
across all sectors. potential stakeholders as part of
and expect our social partners
The working party organising
GMB has identifi ed fi ve key a consolidated approach.
to accept the challenges and
GMB’s Congress is incorporating
environmental areas that need to
standards we set.
the
be tackled: energy, procurement, 3
Establish an environmental
committee or schedule
Green Agenda into its
food and water, recycling and regular, in-depth discussions
planning and organisation stages,
waste, and transport. at scheduled meetings.
■ Don’t forget to take part in
sourcing economic printing
The union is also committed
GMB’s green survey! For more
arrangements and Fair Trade
to establishing environmental 4
Instigate monitoring
procedures against
information or to fi ll in our
suppliers wherever possible.
forums in UK workplaces. measurable targets.
survey form, visit our website at
On a national level, steps are www.gmb.org.uk/greensurvey.
12 www.gmb.org.uk
IINS02.nat_green 12NS02.nat_green 12 224/6/08 15:26:534/6/08 15:26:53
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