This September, the union is once again supporting and encouraging branches to mark Green UNISON Week, using it to celebrate, discuss and share how the union is working to green public services.
From 23 of September to 1 October, branches across the UK will be asked to consider organising a week of activities to call for urgent action to tackle climate change.
Green UNISON Week also gives members the chance to show support for the school climate strike on Friday 23 September.
Christina McAnea said: “The climate crisis could not be more real and is being felt across the globe. Green UNISON Week is our chance to focus in and highlight these issues – it also gives young people a global space to demand politicians take seriously the damage being done to our planet and act to save its future.
“Engaging with members and employers is vital if we are to ready ourselves and engage on this issue,” continued the general secretary.
“We’re encouraging branches to run a week of activities for members and most importantly to engage with employers on how they can reduce their own carbon footprints and ensure their employers have a plan to green their workplaces completely. It’s never been more important!”
Anti-trade union laws mean that UNISON branches cannot take strike action, but there are many ways to show support for the school campaigners and take part in Green UNISON Week.
We’ll be updating you on new events and activities that you can take part in nearer the event and there are some activity ideas and resources attached below for you to start mapping out the activities you want to run.
Key actions
Does your UNISON branch have an environment rep? If not, encourage your branch and any interested members to get involved and become green reps. You can find others who share your concerns about climate change and Green UNISON Week can be your springboard into starting a new green UNISON network where you work.
Find out what your employer is doing to reduce the organisation’s environmental impact. Ask your employer to share this information with UNISON.
Hold a UNISON green event. You could run a lunchtime stall in the canteen, a film show or a talk. Why not invite a speaker from a local environmental campaign group or a school student climate striker to support young people on the 23 September.
Run a green workplace training activity. Talk to your UNISON learning rep/s and look into running a lunchtime activity session for green reps and members who’d like to learn more.
Resources/events – with more to come nearer the time
Sign up to our network to receive green updates here, including guidance on green bargaining and being a green workplace rep.
Find out more about the Fridays for Future youth climate strike on 23 September here.
Find out how your branch can take part in the UK Big Green Week and in Scotland, at Stop Climate Chaos.
Be part of Green UNISON
Use hashtags #GreenUnison in Twitter and Facebook events, photographs and solidarity messages from your branch or as an individual.
Use UNISON’s Greening of Public services logo in your green work.
The article Get ready for Green UNISON Week first appeared on the UNISON National site.