Ryan FowlerUnite, the UK’s leading union, has welcomed Labour’s confirmation that it will create Great British Energy if it forms the next government. However, the union has called on the party to provide full details on how it plans to create well-paid, green-skilled jobs.
Unite’s demand follows its recent campaign urging Labour to reconsider its decision not to issue new licences for oil and gas exploration in the North Sea until a genuine just transition program is in place. The campaign is titled “No ban without a plan.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham stated, “Labour has come out today and promised tens of thousands of new jobs for North Sea workers. To make this happen we will need a concrete plan and serious investment. Unite has a plan to create 35,000 commensurate new energy transition jobs in Scotland by 2030. This will require investment of £6.6 billion over the next six years. That is the commitment we need to see if oil and gas workers are not going to be the coal miners of our generation. And until these new green, well-paid, skilled jobs are in place there must be no ban on oil and gas licences.”
Unite’s campaign outlines the following conditions that Labour should meet before refusing new licences and exploration in the North Sea:
- Jobs: There must be a plan for 35,000 new energy transition jobs in Scotland, costing around £1.1 billion per annum for six years.
- Conditions: The new jobs must match current roles in terms of pay, pensions, and conditions, and the necessary training must be provided.
- Security: The creation of a self-sufficient energy sector is essential to prevent the economy from being at the mercy of corporate profiteering that dramatically increases bills.
