Public and Commercial Services Union

Role of the environmental or green rep

A paper outlining the role of workplace environmental reps was discussed at the PCS national Green Forum in December 2007. This was later included in the 2008 conference document Becoming a Greener Union and defines the role as follows:

1) Raising awareness and promoting green workplace practices with members - such as reducing waste, recycling, energy saving, green purchasing.

2) Liaising with the branch on green/sustainability issues that need to be raised with management.

3) Taking forward and promoting PCS policy and campaigns on green/ sustainability issues in the branch – eg on energy/climate change, fairtrade.

4) Carrying out environmental audits.

5) Monitoring employers’ activity on/progress towards green/ sustainability policies/targets

6) Involvement in developing best environmental practice in the workplace – eg through committees/working parties, developing environmental policies/ management systems, drawing up workplace agreements etc.

7) Networking with other PCS green reps to share information and good practice.

Training  

The TUC runs a 3-day Trade Unions and the Environment course. See the Unionlearn website for details of courses in your region.

There is also an online version of the trade unions and environment course.