Occupational Therapy News OTnews October 2019 | Page 15

BAOT/UNISON Being a BAOT member means you also belong to Unison and can access support and advice on workplace issues at any time. Green Unison Week The climate crisis is the greatest single threat humanity faces. This stark warning has been reinforced by Extinction Rebellion’s recent protests, by images of plastic on the ocean floor and by Sir David Attenborough’s compelling documentaries. July saw the second highest temperature recorded in the UK. The 10 hottest years on record have all been since 2002. Unison is clear that the time for talk is over and the time for action is now. In September Unison ran its first ever nationwide Green Unison Week, with branches across the UK organising a week of activities calling for urgent action to tackle climate change and to show support for the school climate strikers, ahead of their campaign to raise awareness and the school climate strike. Unison has worked for strong action on climate change for many years. Trade union activists campaigning for green workplace policies have described global warming as an ‘urgent health and safety issue for the planet’. Across the UK, Unison is involved in campaigning for a just and fair transition to a greener economy and is liaising with other unions and the wider climate movement over how best to show solidarity with the young campaigners. Certain though it is that governments need to take urgent action on an international scale, there are steps we can all take as individuals to make a positive difference. No matter how powerless you may feel, in the words of the young climate activist Greta Thunberg: ‘No one is too small to make a difference’. Unison branches are being encouraged to plan activities and to support an on-going campaign to engage and involve members and employers in adopting greener practices in the workplace. Here are just some ideas for you to think about taking forward in your workplace: • If you work in local government, get involved in Unison’s campaign for the local government pension funds to stop investing in fossil fuel industries (search ‘Unison LGPS divest’ for more information); • Arrange to plant a tree – the best system of carbon capture and storage; • Encourage your workplace to make more use of tele- and video-conferencing, rather than getting staff to travel to attend meetings; • Remind people in your workplace where possible, to turn off electronic equipment when not in use; • Do you really need to print? Sending documents electronically or, even better, having a chat can be so much greener; • Use public transport or cycle to work; if this is not possible, find out if your employer supports a car-sharing scheme – ask your Unison branch; • Say goodbye to bottled water; buy a reusable water bottle to eliminate your dependence on plastic bottles and keep them out of the landfills; and • Go plastic free (visit https://foe.scot/10-tips-plastic-free-fridays/ to find out how). If you have a problem at work, BAOT/Unison is there to help Anyone can face problems at work, but if you are a member of BAOT, you do not have to face them alone. Whether it is about bullying, duty rotas, flexible working, annual leave or sickness procedures, a BAOT or Unison representative is on hand to help, wherever you work. We are also there to help you make sure your workplace is healthy and safe and to support you in case of disciplinary action, dismissal or redundancy. For help and advice at work – or to find out more about Unison services please contact your local BAOT/Unison steward or call our helpline UNISON direct on tel: [phone]. Lines are open 6am to midnight, Monday to Friday, and 9am to 4pm on Saturdays. Let us know if you are interested in becoming a BAOT steward Occupational therapy stewards make a real and positive difference in the workplace. Being a steward enables you to represent the views of your occupational therapy colleagues during the many changes that take place at work. By being a steward, you can influence the way in which those changes take place, and, in some cases, whether they happen at all. The more stewards we have, the stronger our voice and the better we can represent our members. If you, or someone you know, is thinking about becoming an occupational therapy steward, please email us at [email protected] for more information. OTnews October 2019 15