Andrea Egan, the general secretary of Unison, called for NHS, education and care workers to receive the same political focus as North Sea oil and gas workers.
Egan says public sector workers are treated as an afterthought
Andrea Egan, the general secretary of Unison, called for NHS, education and care workers to receive the same political focus as North Sea oil and gas workers. She said public sector workers were too often treated as an “afterthought” by the government, against what she called a “massive political focus” on protecting North Sea jobs.¹²
Egan said it was vital for oil and gas workers to be guaranteed secure, well-paid jobs in the industries of the future. She then asked: “What about the thousands of jobs cut in recent years across local government, the NHS and education?” She also urged the government to get its priorities straight by investing in clean energy and public services that communities rely on, to the benefit of everyone.¹
Jackdaw approval draws criticism from Egan
The government gave the go-ahead to the Jackdaw gasfield following pressure from the fossil fuel industry and rightwing politicians. The decision added a specific gasfield approval to the debate Egan raised about political attention to North Sea jobs and the treatment of public sector workers.¹²
Egan said it was vital for oil and gas workers to be guaranteed secure, well-paid jobs in the industries of the future.
The Jackdaw decision angered climate campaigners and scientists, as well as many Labour supporters. Climate campaigners and scientists argue that extracting more fossil fuels will further escalate the climate crisis, placing their objection to the approval alongside concerns about the effects of additional fossil fuel extraction.¹
Government & PolicyUK Weighs Mandatory AI Safety Reporting as Microsoft’s Brad Smith Calls for Global Rules
The UK government is examining how serious AI incidents and near misses should be reported, and Microsoft’s Brad Smith has called for global AI safety…
Read More →Egan called the approval “a serious misstep from the government” and said it sent the wrong signal about the UK’s climate commitments. She said ministers should instead focus on creating secure, well-paid jobs in the renewable sector for oil and gas workers.¹²
Rosebank decision remains part of the dispute
A final government decision on the Rosebank oilfield was expected before the end of the year. Wednesday’s budget factored approval of the project into its forecast, linking the project to the government’s budget planning before the final decision.¹
Some Labour MPs were lobbying for Andy Burnham and John Healey not to overrule energy secretary Miatta Fahnbulleh if she decided to block Rosebank. The lobbying concerned whether a decision by Fahnbulleh to block the oilfield would be overturned.¹
Unions differ over drilling and renewable-sector jobs
Unite and GMB, which represent many oil and gas workers, back more licences for fossil fuel companies to drill in the North Sea. Unison and the National Education Union oppose more drilling as part of a wider drive to create long-term sustainable jobs and tackle the climate crisis. The unions therefore take different positions on whether to issue more drilling licences.¹²
Unions differ over drilling and renewable-sector jobs Unite and GMB, which represent many oil and gas workers, back more licences for fossil fuel companies to drill in the North Sea.
One concern among unions is that jobs in the rapidly growing renewables sector are often not unionised. The concern is that these jobs are therefore not as secure or well paid as jobs in the oil and gas sector, a comparison focused on union membership, security and pay.¹
Government & PolicyAI Officials Face Scrutiny Over Technology Risks Amid Public Concern
As public concerns about artificial intelligence grow, officials are under scrutiny for their lack of transparency and accountability. This article examines the implications for policy…
Read More →Last week, Unison announced a new recognition deal with Octopus Energy, identified as the UK’s largest energy company. Octopus Energy said Unison “stood out for its commitment to the energy transition”. The agreement brought Unison and the company together in a recognition deal, while the company’s comment described Unison’s commitment to the transition.¹
Egan described the Octopus Energy agreement as an important step towards securing good, secure jobs in the renewable sector. She said Unison was proud to be leading the way as the clean energy union, and that more well-paid, unionised jobs were urgently needed alongside a rapid transition away from fossil fuels. She called the agreement a step in the right direction on both counts.¹²
Weigh union coverage before choosing energy jobs
If you are weighing a role in renewables, check whether the employer recognises a union before you accept. The ledger notes that renewable-sector jobs are often not unionised, which leaves them less secure and less well paid than oil and gas roles. A recognition deal like the one Unison signed with Octopus Energy signals a workplace where collective bargaining exists, so ask directly about union recognition during interviews.¹²
A recognition deal like the one Unison signed with Octopus Energy signals a workplace where collective bargaining exists, so ask directly about union recognition during interviews.¹²
For oil and gas workers, the political focus on protecting North Sea jobs is strong, but the direction of policy is contested. Unions disagree on whether more drilling licences help or hurt long-term employment. Before planning a career in fossil fuels, consider that public sector and clean energy advocates are pushing for secure, well-paid renewable jobs instead, and that government decisions on fields like Rosebank remain unsettled.¹²
Sources
Written by Career Ahead AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify key facts. Report errors to support@careeraheadonline.com
Government & PolicyGuernsey Deputy Urges Faster Relocation Allowance Review
The review covers grant options and workforce data as scrutiny links relocation support to Guernsey’s rental market.
Read More →
