Unite, Britain and Ireland’s largest union, today confirmed (Monday 26 October) that it was in ‘restructuring’ talks with energy giant E.ON which could result in job losses.

The talks that also involve other energy trade unions come in the wake of E.ON acquiring Npower last year and the impact of Covid-19 on the business.

Unite officer with responsibility for E.ON retail Katie Morris said: “Unite can confirm that it is in talks, along with the other energy unions, with the management of E.ON over restructuring plans.

“The talks are against a background of the harmonisation of the services offered by E.ON since it acquired Npower. The restructuring process has been accelerated by the impact of Covid-19 on its business model.

“We expect an announcement next month on possible job losses. Unite’s position is that any job losses in the future should be voluntary and not of a compulsory nature.

“Unite remains committed to working in a constructive manner with the E.ON management during this difficult time for the energy sector specifically and the country generally.

“However, we won’t tolerate any moves that use the pandemic as an excuse to erode pay and employment conditions of our members - such moves would be strongly resisted.

“Unite will comment more fully once the talks have concluded and the management have presented their proposals.”

Unite has hundreds of members working for E.ON in retail and call centres, as well as engineers and technicians ‘in the field’  carrying out maintenance and visiting consumers’ homes.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

For more information please contact Unite senior communications officer Shaun Noble on 020 3371 2060 or 07768 693940. Unite press office is on:  020 3371 2065.

Please note the numbers above are for journalists’ enquiries only.

Email: [email protected]

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Unite is Britain and Ireland’s largest union with members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Len McCluskey.