Union Climate Action Earth Hour letter

Union Climate Action Pledge Form – “Beyond the Hour” Union Climate Action is a joint project between WWF the PSA, SFWU, 350 Aotearoa and TEU to take action on climate change. Union Climate Action gives union members the opportunity to take action in your own workplace.

Earth Hour this year – celebrated by switching out lights for one hour on Saturday 26th March at 8.30pm ‐ is all about going beyond the hour. Join us in pledging to taking actions that last all year, and beyond.

We would like you to take time to identify with your workmates and colleagues a simple climate related issue that you would like to work with your union to see addressed at your workplace, something that is good for people and good for the planet. Then let us know about it so that we can have a go at dealing with it together as a union.

On the opposite page are two simple issues for you to choose from (or you might have your own that you want to suggest.) Simply pick one, get three other workmates who agree with you, fill out the form and return it to us – to let us know this is an issue that matters to you and your colleagues.

We will then get back in touch with you.

Gratefully, The Union Climate Action team

Return this sheet to your union PSA

TEU

Post Conor Twyford

Stephen Day

P.O. Box 3817

PO Box 11767

Wellington 6140

Wellington 6142

Or fax or email it: conor.twyford@psa.org.nz

stephen.day@teu.ac.nz

FAX 04 917 2051

FAX 04 385 8826

In our workplace we would like to see action on the following:

ISSUE ONE: Encouraging low‐carbon transport – We would like support for people who use public transport, cycle or walk to get to and from work. This might include; •

Dry, safe places to store bikes; showers and lockers at work

•

Flexible work hours to accommodate public transport timetables

•

Better, safer foot paths and bike access to our workplace

•

Subsidies on fares – perhaps funded by savings in carpark rental – for those who regularly commute by public transport

ISSUE TWO: Using energy wisely – We would like to be sure our workplace is using energy as efficiently as possible. This could include taking steps such as; •

Switching all lighting to low‐energy bulbs

•

Ensuring all equipment and appliances are turned off when not in use, are used on their most energy efficient settings and the energy efficiency of new purchases is considered alongside cost

•

Having an energy audit of our workplace

•

Installing video and using conferencing where possible to cut down on travel

•

Servicing vehicles regularly and instructing drivers to drive efficiently

ANOTHER CLIMATE ISSUE THAT IS IMPORTANT FOR US AND THE PLANET: ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________________ SIGNED: Workplace:

Employee Name

Email

Phone