Background information

A Fafo report from 2024, Trade union representatives in the Green Transition , presents results from a survey conducted among trade union representatives in The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO) about their role in the green transition. The survey was distributed in 2023 via email to a panel of 4,323 respondents, and a total of 1,453 responded. It examines trade union representatives (shop stewards) attitudes toward the green transition’s impact on workplaces, competence needs, just transition, and their own involvement. The report analyses responses based on various background factors such as sector, region, and education. The survey concludes with trade union representatives’ views on the societal consequences of the green transition, including extreme weather preparedness and green collective agreements. The findings provide insight into the challenges and opportunities related to the green transition from the shop stewards’ perspective. The report is available in Norwegian. The panel that was used in the survey was established in 2012. It consists of more than 4000 union representatives from all LO-affiliated unions, who are surveyed on workplace conditions and current topics. The surveys are administered and conducted by Fafo Institute and funded by The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO). Publications from the surveys can be found on a project page .

Content of measure

Fafo Institute's survey among LO’s trade union representatives shows their attitudes toward the green transition. Nearly half (48%) are positively inclined, while 39 percent are neither positive nor negative. Only a small minority (9%) are negatively inclined. * A larger proportion of representatives at the union/association level are positively inclined compared to those at the workplace level. * The proportion of those who are negatively inclined is higher in the private sector compared to the public sector. * A larger share reported being positively inclined toward the green transition in companies with more than 100 employees than in companies with 50 employees or fewer. The survey shows that more than half of the respondents are concerned about whether the green transition will be socially just. A full 82% of the representatives believe it is important to be involved in decisions about green transition at the workplace to ensure it is fair for employees. The survey also reveals: * The proportion of representatives who consider this very important is higher in private goods production than in private services and the municipal/county sector. * The proportion is also higher in the largest companies than in the smallest. * Trade union representatives' attitudes toward involvement are also linked to how often they meet with employers. Sixty-two percent of representatives who have meetings every other week or more often state that involvement is very important. By comparison, 45% of those who have meetings every six months state that it is very important. Only 20% state that they can contribute to a fairly or very large degree. Thirty-four percent report that they can contribute to a fairly or very small degree, while 39% report that they can neither greatly, nor minimally contribute. * The proportion who say they can contribute to the green transition is higher in large companies than in small ones. * Trade union representatives who frequently meet with employers are more likely to report that they can contribute. The survey responses indicate that a majority of representatives feel they have little or no opportunity to contribute to the green transition in their company. This contrasts with responses showing that a large majority believe it is very important to be involved in decisions about green transition and that they can contribute to achieving a green shift. The report also examines the use of green collective agreements. While the majority of trade union representatives have not proposed green provisions in local collective agreements, several union branches have both proposed and succeeded in implementing them. Among specific demands, just over 25% have proposed increased recycling of waste and reduced food waste. Fifteen percent have proposed environmentally friendly travel for work purposes. Nearly one in four trade union representatives have proposed energy-saving measures in the workplace, 13% have proposed that the company develop a green transition strategy through social partnership, and 12% have proposed green standards related to procurement.

Use of measure

The report was presented at a Fafo event 18 June 2024( https://www.fafo.no/en/events/previous-events/tillitsvalgtpanelet-om-det-gronne-skiftet).

Target groups

Workers	Businesses	Citizens
Employees in standard employment	Does not apply to businesses	Does not apply to citizens

Actors and funding

Actors	Funding
Trade unions	Trade union

Social partners

Social partners' role in designing the measure and form of involvement:

	Trade unions	Employers' organisations
Role	Informed	No involvement
Form	Not applicable	Not applicable

Social partners' role in the implementation, monitoring and assessment phase:

• Only trade unions
• Main level of involvement: Peak or cross-sectoral level

Involvement

The research is funded by The Norwegian Confederation of Trade Unions (LO).

Views and reactions

No information.

Sources

• 18 June 2024: Shop steward in the green shift (www.fafo.no)