The need for facility time

Time off for environmental activities is vital if union reps are to contribute significantly to efforts to reduce emissions. While there are no legal rights some union reps have been successful in negotiating agreements that allow for some facility time to be devoted to environmental issues. The LRD survey found that 12% (147 respondents) could confirm that they have facility time to carry out duties specifically with regard to the environment/climate change. Disappointingly this is three percentage points down compared to the 2009 survey.

Do union reps in your workplace have facility time for environmental duties?

Extending the union consultation agenda would ensure that representatives are working to anticipate future changes and priorities. They could for example increase awareness of external pressures on an organisation, draw attention to any financial penalties it faces or work to prevent non-compliance with environmental regulations.

While many employers have their own “environmental champion” schemes, TUC GreenWorkplaces projects have found that workers on the frontline are often unaware of these. Union environmental representatives, by comparison, are answerable to union members.

According to many respondents, time taken on green duties often comes from a general allowance for union activity or falls within the health and safety reps’ allocation. Out of over 1,200 responses to this survey only 98 respondents (8%) described themselves as environment reps (while low, this is twice as many as in the 2009 survey). When dedicated environmental facility time is allocated it varies from half an hour a week, four hours a week, a day a week to being allocated time as and when required. The union rep generally seems to fit environmental issues in and around their other duties.

UNISON rep at EDF Energy: “The question of facility time for environment reps is still a concern. I have been lucky in that most of my line managers over the years have been clicked on to the issues and see the benefit in my role. However it’s not that easy for everyone, and puts people off enrolling as an environment rep.”

It is common for safety reps to expand their role and take on environmental issues this way. A Prospect rep working for a defence contractor: “The environment is usually discussed at health and safety meetings. We encourage reps who are interested in the environment to become H&S reps.” Others are given facility time to carry out very specific duties. PCS reps employed in a museum are given time to gather recycling materials while PCS reps at HM Revenue and Customs have facilities time to carry out their duties and attend any meetings, or make presentations. A union rep at a travel company gets time to attend a three monthly meeting on environmental issues.

An FBU rep in Cheshire says they only get time allocated if staffing levels permit. Many reps would echo the comments from the UNISON local council rep: “Such work is included in union duties generally” and a UCU rep in Sussex: “I fit it in with my other duties.”