Union reps in action
[ch 5: page 70]A recent public services union UNISON (Surrey branch) green newsletter focused on single-use plastics: Surrey County Council (SCC) agreed a policy on the use of single-use plastics (SUPs) on council premises. The intention is that SCC move towards zero SUPs across all its own operations and work with partner organisations (schools, borough and district councils, suppliers) to reduce unnecessary plastic waste.
SUPs are any disposable plastic item designed to be used only once. Examples include packaging, plastic bags, disposable utensils, stirrers, beverage containers, wet wipes, and sauce bottles.
The PCS branch at London’s Southbank Centre represents over 200 employees and has a green rep. At the union’s request, the employer set up a Green Forum. “The results so far of this forum has been to markedly reduce the use of single use plastics such as water bottles, cutlery and cups both in-house and by our contractors,” PCS branch secretary Gareth Spencer told LRD. “The forum has also increased the availability of non-dairy milk for staff.”