Fairtrade and workers rights

Our Fairtrade plan

To deliver Fairtrade certification at the University, a working group has been set up. This includes team members from catering, sustainability, the coop, procurement and academics involved in social justice. 

Certification involves working towards the following principles: 

• Fair Payment: Farmers get a set minimum price. This covers the cost of growing the food. 
• Fairtrade Premium: Farmers get extra money to spend on community projects, like schools or clean water. 
• Workers' Rights: Safe working conditions are required. Child labor and forced labor are banned. 
• Eco-Friendly Farming: Farmers use methods that protect nature. They avoid harmful chemicals and save water. 
• Education and Action: Schools teach students about global trade. They organize events to fight for fairness and climate justice. 
• Responsible Buying: Schools buy ethical products. They check their supply chains to make sure human rights are respected 

Trade Unions

The University Sustainability Team meet regularly with representatives from Unison (Environment Officer – Sarah Crawford) and UCU (Tim Brown) to discuss joint working projects. Currently the ‘Just Transition’ concordat that UCU has signed with colleges is being reviewed to see if it’s a working document that can be adapted for universities (in particular the University of Surrey) and with Unison plans are in place to screen the film ‘People’s Emergency Briefing’ for staff and students at the next sustainability assembly, as well as reviewing Unisons workplace energy inspection document to see if its useful for the Sustainability Team in identifying where to reduce carbon emissions.

The University consults with Unions on all policies and procedures via the JNCC (Joint Negotiating and consultative Committee) via a JNCC Policy and Procedure Sub-group. The following is noted in the Universities governing document for policies and procedures ‘Procedure of Policies and Procedures’: 

• Section 4.1 Responsibilities: 'Ensures approved procedures (with the exception of Procedures enabled by Our Colleagues and Our Health and Safety) are submitted to the secretary of the JNCC for receipt as an information item at the next scheduled meeting.'
• Section 4.4 Consultation with the Unions: 'Procedures enabled by the Our Colleagues Policy Statement where there are significant amends, must be received for consultation via the JNCC Policy and Procedure sub-group. Procedures that receive minor amends will be sent for information only and as agreed at the JNCC Policy and Procedure sub-group. 

Procedures enabled by the Our Safety Policy Statement where there are significant amends must be received for consultation via the Health and Safety Consultative Committee. Procedures that receive minor amends will be sent for information only and as agreed at the Health and Safety Consultative Committee. 

Procedures enabled by the remaining 6 Policy Statements will be sent to the JNCC as an information item.'

Further details on the JNCC can be found on Union web pages such as https://surrey-ucu.org.uk/about/