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A fair and sustainable future

13 November 2008

Our 'Becoming a greener union' report presents us with some exciting challenges, writes HMRC union learning rep Richard Leitch.

Apart from establishing a workplace bargaining agenda, the report also calls on us to campaign for sustainable development in both local and global communities. green report cover

In my branch, HMRC Benton Park View, we have set up an environmental committee to tackle both these dimensions.

In terms of sustainable development, one of the most obvious starting points was to take on board the existing PCS affiliation to the fairtrade movement.

There are significant advantages to choosing this issue.

It is familiar to members; there could be a local infrastructure of fairtrade organisations, outlets and activists to tap into; many local councils have fairtrade status, embedding awareness of it throughout schools and community outlets.

In our case we found an excellent ally in the Newcastle Fairtrade Partnership, run through the city council.

With it we have already put on two workplace events, and have a regional workshop for PCS reps planned.

In the workplace, our latest effort was to host a stall in the church hall adjacent to our offices.

We raffled a chocolate hamper, showed fairtrade DVDs, provided refreshments and information.

Early signs are encouraging. It is a good place from which to begin our sustainable development work.

For more information about our work on green and ethical issues, visit the greenworkplaces pages of this website.

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