Unison leader: public sector workers an "afterthought" compared with North Sea oil jobs

Andrea Egan, general secretary of Unison, the UK's largest trade union, has called on the government to give NHS, education and care workers the same political attention that has recently been devoted to people employed in North Sea oil and gas. She said public sector staff too often appear to be an "afterthought" for ministers.

Egan acknowledged that it is vital to guarantee oil and gas workers secure, well-paid jobs in the industries of the future. But she asked about the thousands of jobs cut in recent years across local government, the NHS and education, including care workers, nurses and teaching assistants.

Dispute over North Sea projects

North Sea oil and gas has been back in the headlines in recent weeks after the government approved the Jackdaw gasfield, following heavy pressure from the fossil fuel industry and rightwing politicians in the UK and abroad. The decision angered climate campaigners, scientists and many Labour supporters. They argue that extracting more fossil fuels will worsen the climate crisis, will not cut bills, will not significantly improve energy security and will not stop the long-term decline in jobs in the sector. A final government decision on the more controversial Rosebank oilfield is expected before the end of the year.

After Wednesday's budget, whose forecasts factored in approval of the project, the Guardian reported that some Labour MPs are lobbying Andy Burnham and John Healey not to overrule the energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, if she decides to block Rosebank.

Egan called the Jackdaw approval "a serious misstep from the government". She said ministers should focus on creating secure, well-paid renewable sector jobs for oil and gas workers, and offer similar support to public sector workers, who have also been hit by severe cuts.

Unions are divided

The UK's main trade unions are split over North Sea drilling. Unite and GMB, which represent many oil and gas workers, back more licences, while Unison and the National Education Union oppose further drilling. One concern is that jobs in the fast-growing renewables sector are often not unionised, and so are less secure and lower paid.

Last week Unison announced a new recognition deal with Octopus Energy, the UK's largest energy company. GMB had also been trying to gain recognition there, but the company said Unison "stood out for its commitment to the energy transition".