A United Kingdom union of electronics, IT and electrical engineering workers wants executive pay tied to environmental performance and access for its representatives to corporate environmental information, such as carbon footprint data.
Unite the Union released the report "How Green Is My Workplace?" on Monday with a list of recommendations aimed at improving workplace environmental performance, including statutory rights to environmental data.
The report argues that union representatives are ideally positioned to raise awareness of environmental issues to drive greener working environments. It gives examples of corporate partnerships that have worked to promote eco-stewardship, such as Unite members helping to establish green teams at Fujitsu and Cummins.
"It makes perfect sense that unions should challenge employers to take action on climate change and the environment," Peter Skyte, Unite national officer, in a statement. "Our members in IT and electronics are calling for statutory rights for union representatives to put the preservation of the environment on the bargaining table."
The survey that forms the basis of the report found that 87 percent of respondents believe unions should have a hand in creating and implementing initiatives that reduce workplace environmental impacts. Eighty-three percent of respondents felt that energy and resources were wasted in their workplace.
The report also recommends that companies that choose to move operations offshore should still report the environmental impact of the relocation, as well as give employees environmental education and the option of working from home.
The union also believes its representatives should have the right to consult with employers on procurement decisions that could have an environmental impact on the workplace. More public funding for research that could spur green job creation also is recommended.
