'Energy workers are carrying the weight'

“There is relentless change in energy. We’re living through an accelerated change towards renewables, towards net zero and towards new technologies and new ways of working,” said Lindsey McNaught (pictured), service group chair, at the opening of UNISON's energy service group conference in Brighton on Monday.  

“Don’t be in any doubt. Energy workers are carrying the weight of that transition. Across workplaces members are dealing with restructures, rising workloads, pay restraint, and ongoing uncertainty about the future. In addition, British Gas has recently announced significant job losses affecting our members. 

“Too often we see businesses talking about transformation whilst overlooking the very people who keep the lights on, our homes warm and customers safe. At UNISON, we support a greener future and just transition to renewable and sustainable energy. But it must be a just transition that protects jobs and values skills, delivers fair pay and puts workers at the heart of decision-making.”

Championing progress achieved over the last year, Lindsey spoke of the Fair Work Charter, a major and important deal secured with the government and organisations like Renewables UK and other trade unions. It will ensure new wind farm contracts will only be awarded to companies with trade union recognition and will provide genuine protections for workers, like retraining and reskilling. 

This charter forces wind companies to pay for the training of the next generation of technicians and engineers. And if companies don't sign up to the charter, they’ll miss out on government funding. “The deal will also see unions get better access to workplaces, giving us greater opportunities to organise - ensure a strong healthy and safety standards in the sector. It’s a real win for energy.”

Public ownership  

Speaking at the energy conference for the first time as general secretary, Andrea Egan said: “But let’s not forget that since 2010, the energy networks, and generation companies, have made tens of billions of pounds in profits. The companies you work for. These are companies that will happily squeeze pensions and conditions whenever they can get away with it. Meanwhile, a quarter of the average person’s energy bills go to profits.” 

She continued: “Even before the current energy crisis, UNISON made it clear that something had to change. For many years, we’ve called for public ownership of the energy sector. Arguing that a publicly owned retail market would allow the government to create a ‘green army’, working to decarbonise British homes and businesses.

“If only the government had listened. But we need to make sure that we get public ownership right. But we just can’t stick to this failed system anymore. Instead, we need to build the case for a fully democratic, publicly-owned energy system that not only respects trade-unions and workers.”

AI and job losses

Concerns about the rapid adoption in call centres of AI by employers was a key issue with three motions being introduced at conference. 

Over 70% of energy employers have adopted some kind of AI with others seeking to bring it in over the next three to five years. 

“We only have to look at British Gas’s recent proposals to cut 500 jobs due to the use of online platforms and apps,” said Andrea. “Let me be clear - we will stand by members every step of the way. We can turn this sector - one which the rich have exploited for too long - into something that delivers for workers and the public alike.

“Our position on AI is clear. No AI without accountability. No turning a blind eye to environmental damage and no change without workers at the table,” she continued.

Motions passed unanimously, included: 

• Working with Labour Link, political engagement organisations and campaign groups to push for legislative protections around AI. 
• Working with Labour Link to lobby the government and GB Energy (the government’s state-owned energy company) to invest in inclusive training programmes that prepare women, especially in under-represented groups, for emerging AI-related roles
• Recognising that the rollout of AI is a trade union issue, as it constitutes a change in working conditions. 
• Working to develop a model agreement for energy employers that encompasses protections for workers, including training in new technologies, and guarantees around the collection of workers’ data. 

Reducing inequality

A 2025 parental leave survey by UNISON, which received over 7,000 responses found that women are facing widespread financial hardship, mental health challenges and unequal access to parental leave entitlements across sectors, including energy. 

Three quarters of responders reported financial stress during maternity leave that negatively impacted upon their well-being and 93% of women would have taken more leave if it had been better paid. 

“Maternity pay is half the rate of the living wage. It should be the real living wage rate for all women,” said Donna Riddell of the women’s committee, who introduced the motion. “This is an issue for all workers.”

Other issues of inequality raised at conference included the shocking delays and difficulties facing disabled members securing reasonable adjustments at work that make it possible for them to carry out their work. When adjustments are agreed, they are often not introduced consistently or reviewed regularly. 

“Reasonable adjustments are not optional, they are not favours, they are fundamental to equality at work,” said one delegate. “Without reasonable adjustments, workers can face capability procedures or be pushed out the workplace altogether.”

 Equality motions passed, including: 

• working with Labour Link to improve statutory maternity pay, ensuring it is at least equivalent to the minimum wage. 
• Promoting mental health support for members taking parental leave, ensuring they are aware of available resources. 
• Working with the national Disabled committee to encourage branches to monitor capability procedures and report any increases. Also to promote model policy on reasonable adjustments. 

Other motions passed, including:

• Establishing clear sector wide standards in reasonable adjustments for neurodiverse workers. 
• Improving the recruitment and organisation of young workers across the energy sector.
• Tracing the source of solar panels – most (97%) of which are made by forced labour in Uyghur, China.