Ørsted and trade union Prospect have reached a landmark recognition agreement that will cover all employees involved in the operation and maintenance (O&M) of Ørsted’s twelve operational offshore wind farms in the UK.
The agreement will see Prospect recognised as the sole negotiating body for the terms and conditions of around 450 of Ørsted’s O&M staff, based at sites across the UK including Barrow, Grimsby, Liverpool, and Brightlingsea, Ørsted said.
In August and September, Prospect will be at Ørsted’s offshore operations sites in the abovementioned locations for facilitated meetings to introduce the union and to provide the opportunity to join as a recognised union member.
According to the Danish offshore wind developer, both Ørsted and Prospect are committed to building a highly technically-capable workforce with sustainable careers and competitive terms and conditions.
“This landmark recognition agreement with Ørsted 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”, said Sue Ferns , Prospect trade union Senior Deputy General Secretary.
“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”.
Prospect has experience working with the energy sector, including in renewables and offshore, and is now representing more than 20,000 energy workers, in some of the same areas where Ørsted’s sites are based.
The company has been campaigning for a just transition for workers in the energy 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 UK, Ørsted said.
Jobs in the rapidly expanding offshore wind industry in the UK could grow to almost 100,000 by 2030, according to a report published by the Offshore Wind Industry Council (OWIC).
Ørsted is the world’s leading offshore wind developer with its twelve operational wind farms producing enough green energy to power over 4.4 million UK homes a year.
This will increase to 5.5 million homes later this year when Hornsea Two offshore wind farm becomes fully operational.
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