Unison chief calls for equal support for public sector workers
Unison general secretary Andrea Egan says the government gives too much political attention to protecting North Sea oil and gas jobs while treating public sector workers as an “afterthought”. She called for comparable support for NHS, education and care staff, and said approving the Jackdaw gasfield was a serious misstep that undermined the UK’s climate commitments.
The government approved Jackdaw after pressure from the fossil fuel industry and politicians; a decision on the Rosebank oilfield is expected before the end of the year. Unions are divided over further North Sea drilling: Unite and GMB support more licences, while Unison and the National Education Union oppose them and back a shift to renewable energy. Unison recently secured a recognition agreement with Octopus Energy, which Egan said could help create secure, well-paid union jobs in clean energy.
In short
- Unison says public service workers deserve equal political focus.
- Andrea Egan calls the Jackdaw approval a serious misstep.
- Unions disagree over further North Sea drilling.
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The case for
Public sector workers provide essential services and deserve sustained investment, secure employment and political attention comparable to that given to energy workers. From this perspective, approving new North Sea fields risks weakening climate commitments and diverting effort from building a clean-energy sector that can offer secure, well-paid jobs.
The case against
North Sea oil and gas jobs support workers, families and communities, and domestic production may be seen as important to energy security while the UK still uses these fuels. From this perspective, new licences can protect livelihoods and help manage the transition gradually, while public services should receive fair support without requiring the government to withdraw support from the energy sector.
Explained simply
Unison is one of the UK’s largest trade unions, representing workers across public services such as the NHS, schools and local government. Andrea Egan is its general secretary, the union’s elected leader.
The North Sea supports oil and gas jobs, while public services rely on workers in areas including health, education and care. Unions disagree over whether the UK should allow more oil and gas drilling: some support new licences to protect jobs, while others favour moving towards renewable energy.
The debate involves jobs, energy supply and the UK’s climate commitments. Octopus Energy is a renewable energy company; Unison’s recognition agreement with it means the union can represent eligible staff there.
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Originally published by The Guardian as “Public sector an ‘afterthought’ to North Sea oil jobs, says Unison leader”.