Scottish power members 'green up' workplace

by Fiona Montgomery

Members of UNISON's Scottish Power branch are involved in greening up one of their workplaces.

They have teamed up with Prospect in the joint TUC/Scottish Power Green Workplace project in Lanarkshire, aiming to save energy and raise environmental awareness.

Initiatives at the New Alderstone House site in Bellshill include a staff survey, an energy awareness day and a training workshop for those interested in becoming green reps.

Caroline Molloy, of the TUC Green Workplaces project, joined UNISON's Scottish Organiser Dave Watson and local members for the energy awareness day. Staff were able to calculate their carbon footprint, learn about green workplace initiatives and see a film of TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber interviewing Al Gore.

The survey found that staff felt there was room for improvement in personal behaviour, at work and by the unions. A total of 50% thought their behaviour at work was 'quite green', but only 11% thought the organisational behaviour was 'quite green'.

Half were not aware of Scottish Power's environmental policy and 53% of union members didn't know what action the union was taking on the environment. Proposals for management action included video conferencing, improved bus services and location, car sharing, action to tackle energy waste on heating, air conditioning, lighting and use of computers.

(See Al Gore's comments on how trade unionists can act on climate change at: www.tuc.org.uk/sustainableworkplace/algore.cfm?theme=sustainableworkplace)

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