Unite the UK’s leading union has described the victory of the Conservatives in the Aberdeen South by-election as a huge wake call for the government’s oil and gas policies.
 
Unite, which represents thousands of oil and gas workers, has a longstanding No Ban Without a Plan campaign to ensure that jobs are not lost in the North Sea and the oil and gas sector, until there are sufficient comparable jobs in the renewable sector.
 
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The Aberdeen South result is a direct result of failed Labour policies on oil and gas, which have been an abject failure.
 
“The tin-eared approach to the concerns of workers, by letting go of one rope before we have hold of another, has been absolutely shameful. Unite will not accept a jobless transition. Until there is a credible plan for jobs the anti-North Sea policies must be consigned to the bin.
 
“It is not just in the North Sea where the government’s energy policies are failing. The industrial vandalism approach by Labour in this sector has been laid bare for all to see. Allowing two refineries to close at a time when the UK is crying out for the production of green aviation fuel, as a result of Labour’s own targets, is nothing short of a disgrace.
 
“Labour must have a plan to back British industry. Labour is supposed to be the party of workers, that is yet to be seen in any real way. Until that happens workers will continue to abandon Labour in their droves.”
 
Unite supports the development of the Rosebank and Jackdaw to offset the ongoing North Sea job losses and to allow the sector breathing space to establish a just transition for workers.
 
In addition to the growing job losses in the North Sea, Unite has been highly critical of the government allowing the closure of two refineries (Grangemouth and Lindsey) last year. Unite believes that Labour should be promoting the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). The government supports the greater use of SAF in aviation but has failed to take measures for it to be produced in the UK.
 
ENDS
Notes to editors:
 
For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.
 
Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org
 
Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org
 
Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham