Staff at Bristol City Council are being encouraged to help turn their offices green by working with their new union green reps.
 
Issues that they want to tackle include promoting eco-driving to staff at the council and standardising office waste recycling arrangements.
 
Trade union reps have signed an agreement with their employers to deliver environmental policies to help the council reduce its carbon footprint. The agreement is a success for the South West TUC’s Green Workplaces Project, which has been advising, supporting and training green reps throughout the region.

Nigel Costley, Regional Secretary of the South West TUC, said: “As part of a just transition to a low carbon economy it’s vital we ensure existing workplaces operate in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
“The city council has taken a lead role in showing how trade unions and management can work together to deliver environmental change.”

Steve Crawshaw, UNISON rep and chair of the council’s Green Reps Committee, said: “The council has already been working on environmental improvements but this is the first time the trade union role has been recognised.

“A key role for us is to communicate the need for the workforce to play its part in improving the environmental performance of the council. There is a massive amount of enthusiasm and knowledge among the green reps and the committee is looking forward to working with all employees in the council to bring this commitment and expertise to bear.”

Bristol City Council Leader Barbara Janke said: “Bristol City Council is committed to making Bristol a Green Capital and reducing our climate change impacts.  To do so we need the involvement of every employee and we see working with our staff trade unions as a critical part of achieving this.  I would encourage every organisation to work with their unions and the Green Workplaces Project.”

The South West TUC Green Workplaces Project is funded by the South West Regional Development Agency and works with Trade Union members across the Region advising, supporting and training them to enable them to champion environmental issues in the workplace.  More information about their work can be found at www.greenworkplacessouthwest.org.uk. 

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Notes to editors:
 
Bristol Green Capital programme aims to accelerate the pace of change in Bristol’s economy and communities towards the low carbon future that will make Bristol a more sustainable, healthier, greener city. http://www.bristolgreencapital.org/
 
The South West TUC Green Workplaces Project offers FREE staff training.
For more information visit www.greenworkplacessouthwest.org.uk  or call the Green Workplaces Team on 0117 947 0521.
 
Contacts:
Catherine Frankpitt, Press Officer, Bristol City Council – 0117 922 3463
 Nigel Costley, Regional Secretary, South West TUC – 0117 947 0521

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