Orsted and trade union Prospect have reached a landmark agreement to cover all employees operating and maintaining its wind farms.
The Danish giant has 12 sites generating electricity in UK waters and Prospect will be recognised as the sole negotiating body for the terms and conditions of around 450 staff. The majority are based in Grimsby, where the largest wind farms in the fleet are anchored, with further sites in Barrow, Liverpool and Brightlingsea, Essex.
Numbers are expected to increase significantly further as the company continues to build out a strong project pipeline. Meetings are being held to introduce the union in the coming weeks, with both described as being “committed to building a highly technically-capable workforce with sustainable careers and competitive terms and conditions”.
Read more: Huge Hornsea Three offshore wind project wins government renewable subsidy backing
Duncan Clark, head of region UK at global leader Orsted, said: “When developing this partnership, Prospect and Ørsted have found strong alignment of values, ambition and experience in the energy sector. Prospect is well-established in the offshore wind sector, priding itself on empowering and upskilling highly technical roles whilst also having a strong reputation for establishing fair and equitable terms and conditions for employees.
"Prospect will work with our successful employee engagement forum to support their ongoing work representing our offshore wind operations teams as well as providing specific support to individuals who choose to join Prospect as a recognised member. We believe our partnership with Prospect will complement the ongoing and forthcoming work on a range of complex and challenging tasks, ensuring Orsted is best positioned for the future growth of the offshore wind sector as the UK aims to have 50GW installed by 2030.”
Prospect has extensive experience working with the energy sector – including in renewables and offshore – now representing more than 20,000 energy workers, in some of the same areas where Ørsted’s sites are based. In total it looks after the interests of 150,000 workers.
It has been campaigning for a just transition for workers in the sector and is calling on the government to achieve its Net Zero goals with investment in skills and infrastructure that deliver high-quality jobs and employment for communities across the country.
Prospect’s senior deputy general secretary, Sue Ferns -current president of the TUC - said: “This landmark recognition agreement with Orsted demonstrates Prospect’s commitment to securing a just transition for workers in the energy sector. It shows that employers and unions can work together constructively to meet the country’s greatest challenges and sets an example to the rest of the renewables sector. Wind power will play a critical role in securing an energy secure, net zero future for the UK and through this agreement we will ensure that the workers delivering that change have the best possible terms and conditions at work. “We are a growing and ambitious union in renewable energy and we are working hard to increase our membership and recognition across the sector.”
Read next:
Offshore wind worker pays it forward for people to follow in his footsteps with training firm launch
Renewables auction reaction as record low-cost green energy capacity secured
Hitachi Energy and Aibel enlisted for Orsted's Hornsea Three offshore wind farm transmission system
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