OSSTF could well be the greenest trade union in the world. The federation representing Ontario secondary school teachers is unique in its establishment of and support for a green working group, which is chaired by environmental activist and former Green Party candidate Glen Hodgson, of Parry Sound.
This small and dedicated group of OSSTF members has produced what may be the world’s only report on greening a labour union. It is certainly the first I’ve seen in all my years of research.
I had an opportunity to meet with the working group members today. Their blueprint, updated in 2012, lists concrete steps for reducing the organization’s carbon footprint and setting a gold standard for environmental stewardship among its 60000+-strong membership.
I went to the meeting pushing for the inclusion of littering in future rewrites of “Small Steps to A Greener Union.” Littering is relevant in two ways - smoking and the disposal of butts by members, and litter resulting from outdoor rallies, festivals, protests and the like. I gave them some ideas to consider and really appreciated their interest and attention.
Credit is due to OSSTF’s executive for establishing this green mandate and being a world-first, if I’m not mistaken. I don’t like to be wrong, but I’m willing to be if anyone knows of a more brilliant example of greening a union. I was able to find a few periodicals and theoretical writings out of Denmark, but nothing as progressive on greening a union as is coming out of OSSTF in Ontario, Canada. GET REPORT.
P.S. The chair, Glen, said he liked the litterpreventionprogram.com website, found it comprehensive and easy to navigate. (I encourage students to use the site to create projects, write stories, research the subject and for all to be litter aware.) Watch for new stories every day on the News Reel. As always, feel free to contact me with your thoughts and comments.
This small and dedicated group of OSSTF members has produced what may be the world’s only report on greening a labour union. It is certainly the first I’ve seen in all my years of research.
I had an opportunity to meet with the working group members today. Their blueprint, updated in 2012, lists concrete steps for reducing the organization’s carbon footprint and setting a gold standard for environmental stewardship among its 60000+-strong membership.
I went to the meeting pushing for the inclusion of littering in future rewrites of “Small Steps to A Greener Union.” Littering is relevant in two ways - smoking and the disposal of butts by members, and litter resulting from outdoor rallies, festivals, protests and the like. I gave them some ideas to consider and really appreciated their interest and attention.
Credit is due to OSSTF’s executive for establishing this green mandate and being a world-first, if I’m not mistaken. I don’t like to be wrong, but I’m willing to be if anyone knows of a more brilliant example of greening a union. I was able to find a few periodicals and theoretical writings out of Denmark, but nothing as progressive on greening a union as is coming out of OSSTF in Ontario, Canada. GET REPORT.
P.S. The chair, Glen, said he liked the litterpreventionprogram.com website, found it comprehensive and easy to navigate. (I encourage students to use the site to create projects, write stories, research the subject and for all to be litter aware.) Watch for new stories every day on the News Reel. As always, feel free to contact me with your thoughts and comments.
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