Over a thousand offshore UK oil and gas workers have backed proposals for public ownership of production facilities, as part of a host of demands they say would benefit the public.
Workers called for better conditions, pay and training, alongside a “fairer” energy system that would see profits placed in the hands of the public and boost renewable production, responding to a survey from climate group Friends of the Earth Scotland.
“73% of oil and gas companies invest nothing in renewable energy production in the UK,” the report said, despite the likes of BP PLC (LSE:BP.) and Shell PLC (LSE:SHEL, NYSE:SHEL) being among firms which collectively raked in hundreds of billions in profits last year.
“Public ownership would mean decent contracts, permanent work and that workers would be treated with respect,” commented a worker from Aberdeen.
“It’s less of a danger to our working environment than having someone who is cowed, stressed or worried about their livelihoods,” they added.
Workers also urged the government to make windfall taxes permanent, with over 1,000 of the estimated 30,000 sector employees - according to Offshore Energies UK - supporting proposed changes.
Full list of worker-led demands from the report:
A government-backed jobs guarantee
An offshore training passport that supports workers to retrain in the renewables sector
Investment in ports and renewables manufacturing hubs in the UK, creating and retaining local jobs
Full access to union representation and collective negotiation of pay, health and safety regulations and benefits
Equal pay for migrant workers and a higher minimum wage for all
Trusted grievance and whistleblowing policies and protection from blacklisting
Public ownership for public good
A permanent ‘Energy Excess Profits Tax’ and a sovereign wealth fund
Polluting companies to pay for the decommissioning of oil rigs
Investing wealth in communities and supporting growth in new industries
“Industry profiteering and government inaction has left us with soaring bills, declining working conditions and no plan for an energy transition,” said campaigner Gabrielle Jeliazkov.
“The future of the UK’s energy system should be in the hands of workers and communities.”
Increased pressure on the government follows proposals by Labour party head Kier Starmer to introduce a publicly owned energy company known as Great British Energy if he were to win the next election.