Conference recognises challenges and achievements of energy sector

More than 80 Prospect energy reps attended sector conference in Birmingham on Tuesday, 23 May, where, as well as debating motions on the pressing issues facing members, they took part in breakout sessions, were given updates from union leaders and listened to a panel debate with expert speakers on Net Zero.

Opening the conference, Richard Clatworthy, the outgoing sector president, thanked delegates for all their hard work in their branches over the last two years since the last conference.

“It has been an interesting two years – we came out of the challenging time of covid for all of us and we’ve now entered another challenging time on many different fronts. It has made all our roles harder and we’re now offering more support in our workplaces.

“The energy sector is diverse and we have got different challenges across it but everyone has done really well supporting one another.”

In her remarks, Sue Ferns, Prospect senior deputy general secretary, acknowledged the challenges but also lauded the recent achievements and successes of the sector.

In particular, she cited three new recognition agreements in the renewable sector, a parliamentary reception for nuclear last November, our campaigning on workforce resilience, an ongoing focus on equality and diversity and a new health and safety network for energy branches.

Sue also introduced an important new policy paper from Prospect. ‘Delivering clean power – a mission for the energy system’ which will underpin the sector’s campaigning work and engagement with politicians and industry in the coming months.

“After the next election, we don’t want another framework, we want action ready to go on day one. That’s one of the clear lessons from the Biden Administration: it is about working with urgency and purpose and in collaboration with trade unions to incentivise energy investment that creates good jobs in communities that need them,” she said.

Conference sessions

In the afternoon session, conference delegates had a choice of attending one of three breakout sessions:

Improving the sector’s health and safety culture

While the energy sector has pockets of good health and safety culture, in other areas trust is low and staff can be wary of raising concerns. This session, with Chris Warburton, Prospect’s health and safety officer, looked at what a good health and safety culture looks like and what can be done to improve it.

Achieving flexible working

Rachel Bennett, Prospect’s lifelong learning officer, and Frances Cusack, Prospect’s head of legal, talked to attendees about the different kinds of flexible working and how to establish a consistent and fair approach so that it could work for everyone – including those working on the frontline.

DC pension provision

In another breakout session, Neil Walsh, Prospect pensions officer, helped delegates to better understand how to evaluate pension provision in their company and how to work towards an agenda to press for more improvements.

Union partnership

Another conference highlight saw the unveiling of a proposed new partnership between Prospect and a Rwandan union for energy, water and sanitation workers called SYPELGAZ, which will initially focus on how Prospect can help them to improve occupational health and safety.

Jordi Michel Musoni, SYPELGAZ’s president, addressed delegates in a pre-recorded video and spoke about how many of his energy workers had been sacked when utilities were privatised, their subsequent battle for jobs and compensation and the ongoing workplace hazards that they face, such as free-climbing up poles.

In his speech, Mike Clancy, Prospect general secretary gave delegates a broad overview of the positive healthy state of Prospect, the political and economic landscape and also took a wide-range of questions from the floor.

Among the motions discussed and carried at the conference included motions on the shambolic NDA pay negotiations, workforce diversity, responding to the energy transition and the need for a national skills strategy in energy.

More reports from the energy sector conference will be published shortly, including coverage of the Net Zero panel debate, Mike Clancy’s speech to delegates and a round-up of the motions.