UCU Guidance Leaflet No. 2 Energy Management

This leaflet is one of a series designed to help UCU members engage with their institution on the ‘green agenda’. This is an area that is becoming increasingly important and we urge you to make sure that the views and interests of staff are addressed.

Why is energy management a trade union issue?

Energy costs are rising and it is an increasingly a larger component of the budget. There are legal duties to maximise energy efficiency but the methods used are not always popular with staff. UCU reps need to ensure that efficiency gains are not made at the expense of people’s jobs and other conditions of employment. For example, employers can reduce energy bills by closing course programmes and selling off buildings. The knock-on effect could be job loss or more crowded working conditions. Branches need to ensure that energy management is not used as an excuse to justify job cuts. Instead unions will want to see how energy savings can ease the pressure on other cost.