Energy Secretary right to recognise that clean energy and good jobs must go hand in hand, says Prospect

In his speech at the Labour Party’s annual Conference, Energy Secretary Ed Miliband has said that renewable energy companies will no longer be allowed to deny their workers access to trade unions.

He told party members in Liverpool: “Current rules mean that if you work offshore in renewables, more than 12 miles out at sea, you are literally in no man’s land when it comes to employment protection… Our principle, which we will put in law – offshore, onshore, land or sea: you will be guaranteed fair pay and decent rights at work.”

Commenting on the Energy Secretary’s speech, Mike Clancy, Prospect General Secretary, said:

“The clean energy transition has the potential to create thousands of good quality jobs across the country, but we will only achieve this as part of a partnership between industry, unions, and government.

“The Energy Secretary is right to say that the days of clean energy companies denying their employees access to unions must end, and we welcome moves towards encouraging companies to recognise unions and will continue to push for the strongest possible conditionality on public money.

“He is also right to warn that Reform’s policies would cripple the energy transition, stifle investment, destroy jobs, and damage the very communities who most need the promise of well-paid, secure employment.

“Prospect will continue to campaign for a just transition, where clean energy and good jobs go hand in hand.”