- Conference
- 2025 Energy Service Group Conference
- Date
- 12 February 2025
- Decision
- Carried
Conference notes:
I)The transition to a Net Zero economy is a global challenge, with energy sector workers across Europe facing similar changes in their industries.
II)Many European countries have advanced Just Transition policies, including strong worker protections, government-led skills initiatives, and trade union involvement in energy policy.
III)European Works Councils (EWCs) provide a platform for cross-border worker representation, enabling unions to share best practices and collectively challenge poor employer practices.
Conference believes:
a)UNISON must engage with EWCs and trade unions across Europe to identify both best practice and poor practice in delivering a Just Transition for energy workers.
b)Learning from successful models can strengthen our ability to negotiate better protections, pay progression, and job security for UK energy workers.
c)Exposing poor employer practices, such as offshoring, outsourcing, or inadequate training, will help UNISON build stronger campaigns for a worker-led transition.
Conference calls on the SGE to:
1)Engage with EWCs and European trade unions to learn from their experiences in delivering a Just Transition.
2)Identify best practice examples that could be used to strengthen UNISON’s negotiating position with UK energy employers.
3)Highlight poor employer practices that threaten job security, pay, and conditions, using this knowledge to campaign for stronger protections.
4)Ensure that UNISON representatives in multinational energy companies actively engage with their EWCs, pushing for worker-friendly policies across all regions.
5)Use the findings to develop policy recommendations for the UK Government and devolved administrations, ensuring that UK energy workers benefit from the strongest possible Just Transition policies.
Conference calls on the UNISON Energy Service Group Executive to report back on engagement with EWCs and European trade unions at the next conference.