Public sector an ‘afterthought’ to North Sea oil jobs, says Unison leader

Ambulance workers and paramedics on the picket line at Northallerton ambulance station in 2023. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer View image in fullscreen Ambulance workers and paramedics on the picket line at Northallerton ambulance station in 2023. Photograph: Gary Calton/The Observer Public sector an ‘afterthought’ to North Sea oil jobs, says Unison leader Andrea Egan calls for same political focus on teachers, care sector and NHS and says Jackdaw decision ‘a serious misstep’ The leader of the UK’s biggest trade union has called for the same political focus to be given to NHS, education and care sector workers as there has been on those employed in North Sea oil and gas. Andrea Egan, the general secretary of Unison, said too often public sector workers were treated as an “afterthought” “massive political focus” on protecting jobs in the North Sea. “There’s no question it is vital for oil and gas workers to be guaranteed secure, well-paid jobs in the industries of the future,” Egan said. “But public service workers, in contrast, often seem like an afterthought for ministers. What about the thousands of jobs cut in recent years across local government, the NHS and education? Care workers, nurses, teaching assistants.” North Sea oil and gas has been in the headlines again in recent weeks after the government gave the go ahead to the Jackdaw gasfield following huge pressure from the fossil fuel industry and rightwing politicians – in the UK and abroad. Burnham in danger of sleepwalking into climate disaster, say campaigners The decision caused anger among climate campaigners and scientists, as well as many Labour supporters, who argue that extracting more fossil fuels will further escalate the crisis and do nothing to reduce bills, significantly improve energy security or halt the long-term decline in jobs in the sector. A final government decision on the more controversial Rosebank oilfield is expected before the end of the year. After Wednesday’s budget, which factored in the project’s approval in its forecast, the Guardian revealed some Labour MPs were lobbying Andy Burnham and John Healey not to overrule the energy secretary, Miatta Fahnbulleh, if she decided to block Rosebank. Egan said approving Jackdaw was “a serious misstep from the government” and sent the wrong signal about the UK’s climate commitments. Unite and GMB, which represent many oil and gas workers, back more licences, while Unison and the National Education Union oppose more drilling as part of a wider drive to create long term sustainable jobs and tackle the climate crisis.