Energy sector conference: motions carried

An emergency motion on pay across the OneNDA estate was among the motions discussed and voted upon at the energy sector conference in Birmingham.

The emergency motion on One NDA pay (submitted by the NDA branch) noted the ‘shambolic situation’ regarding pay negotiations, which has been sparked by the move that places most of the operating companies under the Civil Service Pay Remit.

The NDA also failed to inform the recognised unions that the companies would be subject to the pay controls applied by the government.

The motion called on the sector executive and Prospect to continue pressing the NDA and the government on the ‘seriousness of the situation, the damage it is causing to the mission and to work with the recognised Trade Unions to resolve the deepening crisis across the NDA.’

The motion, which was carried unanimously, also left open the possibility of industrial action if no progress is made.

The following motions were also carried, which will form the basis of the sector executive committee’s (SEC) work and priorities for the months ahead:

Workforce diversity (UKAEA)

This motion from UKAEA aims to boost the under-representation of women and Black, Asian and Minority Ethic professionals in the energy sector. Prospect energy branches are called to:

1. Make the creation of in-house Mentoring Schemes a negotiating priority within their organisations.
2. Make the sponsoring of existing Mentoring Programmes/Initiatives a negotiating priority within their organisations (specifically Mentoring Programmes that target the encouragement of all Women, Black, and other POC into Engineering, Tech, Science, and Professional Disciplines).
3. To create an action plan for how their Branch can actively encourage members to Mentor and volunteer outside of their organisation.

DNO workforce capacity (National Grid Electricity Distribution)

Following previous concerns about low resourcing levels and the subsequent increase in pressure and levels of fatigue on staff, this motion called on the SEC to highlight these issues and lobby Network Operators and government for significant investment in the workforce to avoid further reductions in the workforce in the face of increasing workload.

Responding to the energy transition (Sector Executive Committee)

In effect, an endorsement of the sector’s new policy document, ‘Delivering clean power – a mission for the energy system’, this motion brought attention to the investment that will be needed to drive zero carbon energy, whether in renewables or nuclear. It also noted that the energy transition will create ‘both opportunities and risks’ for the energy workforce and trade unions will be needed to play their part.

Hydrogen and CCUS (SEC)

In a similar vein to the motion on the energy transition, this motion highlighted in particular the potential of ‘hydrogen and Carbon Capture Usage and Storage (CCUS) both of which, over time, could make an important contribution to achieving net zero.’

Specifically, it said that better public understanding was needed of the whole energy system so that domestic and industrial users would be better prepared for the future changes. It welcomed any initiatives to promote public debate and called on the expertise of Prospect’s energy sector members to drive engagement.

National skills strategy for the energy transition (Uniper)

This motion from the Uniper branch brought attention to the skills, which are already scarce, that will be needed for the energy transition. It calls on Prospect to lobby the government and other stakeholders to:

• Provide research and development funding to support flexible Net Zero technologies such as green methane, hydrogen and Carbon Capture Utilisation and Storage.
• Ensure that existing thermal plant is supported during the transition so vital capacity and skills are retained until replacement plant is ready.
• Promote a national skills strategy that provides an incentive for investment in the high technology skills required for the UK’s energy transition.

Impact of Ofgem targets on health and well-being (Scottish and Southern Energy)

The Scottish and Southern Energy branch highlighted the negative impact of Ofgem fault response targets on the health and well-being of its members who are needed to deliver on those targets. Their motion called on the SEC to engage with Ofgem and seek positive remedies.

The future role of networks (Northern Powergrid)

The development of networks and upskilling of networks staff to enable a future low carbon energy system was noted by the Northern Powergrid branch. Their motion called on Prospect to lobby government, Ofgem and other stakeholders to ensure better national coordination on:

• Increasing funding for innovation in networks;
• Developing robust technical standards for networks regardless of ownership so there is sufficient capacity for distributed generation and increased use of electricity for transport and heating;
• Develop and funding high skill training for new and existing staff.

Workforce facilities (Northern Powergrid)

Another motion from Northern Powergrid pointed to the poor facilities provided at many primary sub-stations and instructed Prospect to engage on the issue. They said:

“We believe that with many staff working flexibly on site, that primary sub-stations should provide adequate toilets, washing facilities and areas to heat food and drinks. We would also wish to see adequate Wi-Fi and office space maintained so we are given the facilities to run a modern business.”