Utility Week

26 | 1ST - 7TH NOVEMBER 2019 | UTILITY WEEK Operations & Assets Interview U nite says it is in "positive and constructive" talks with utility bosses about the coronavirus outbreak to ensure its members are not put under "undue risk" while they maintain essential services. With remote working unavailable to many energy, network and water sector employees, the union is dis- cussing contingency plans for Covid-19 with company leaders, as local shop stewards take "a pragmatic view". Speaking just a few hours before prime minister Boris Johnson's announcement on Monday advising people to avoid all non-essential social contact for 12 weeks, Unite's national officer for energy and utilities, Peter McIntosh, said the union was being guided by the same medical and government advice as the public. However, he added that a public service ethos was "inherent" in Unite members, who have a "unique responsibility" for keeping the country's lights on and its taps running. "Unfortunately, a lot of our members can't work from home because of the type of work that they carry out, but they shouldn't put themselves at undue risk," he said. "We need to have contingency plans, so we're work- ing with companies on how best to do that. And that's being done by the local shop stewards, who are taking a pragmatic view, and offering advice and guidance on how Unite members can best ensure they keep themselves safe and provide that essential service for the public." McIntosh added that there were no concerns at pre- sent over members receiving sick pay if they had to stay at home due to Covid-19. "All the indications are that we are working construc- tively with employers about payments for people," he said. "There may be some hiccups about self-isolation, but we're working through all of that. I don't have any concerns across the sector that if people present with the illness then companies will not do the right thing – which is maintaining their sick-pay schemes." On redundancies, he believes it is way too early to be contemplating any such scenario as a result of the corona- virus. "The companies are looking at a range of options, but not linked to the outbreak of Covid-19," he said. "I don't see anything yet about the companies utilising this as an excuse to downsize the workforce. I'm getting no indication of that whatsoever." But he accepted that workers may at some stage be asked to be more flexible. "Again, it's all about the relationship with the organi- sation, and these unprecedented times may call for certain things to be done on a temporary basis," he explained. "It's our hope that as long as we sit down and we have constructive dialogue with the employers, then we can come to an arrangement that makes sure we're doing the right thing for everyone concerned. "We are in constant talks. We are working proactively and positively with all of the utility companies, and I don't see that changing – even if the situation escalates." As the number of UK cases on Tuesday reached 1,543 positive tests for the virus in the UK, up from 1,372 the day before, the union spokesman had no official figures on the potential number of Unite members affected. "Obviously, if there was a requirement, then we would hope the companies take a pragmatic view about flexibility, about how we make sure that key services are covered," he said. Accepting that some contact with consumers, espe- cially vulnerable customers, could prove particularly challenging for the safety of frontline staff in the days ahead, he said that his expectation was that advice would be given to Unite members. "The reality of the situation is changing day by day," he said. "As advice comes out, I feel confident that shop stewards and union officers can deal with the situation and take the appro- priate measures." Talks will also be held with other unions with mem- bers in the industry, such as GMB and Prospect. "It's a worrying time not only for our members but for the general public as well," he said. "But we will support our members throughout this to make sure that they get the appropriate representation, to make sure that deci- sions are taken, and that we are consulted before any changes are implemented across the organisations." McIntosh spoke to Utility Week a few minutes ahead of joining a national industrial sector committee meeting involving all shop stewards. Suzanne Heneghan, editor Utility Week "We are working positively with all the companies, and I don't see that changing – even if the situation escalates." Peter McIntosh, NATIONAL OFFICER FOR ENERGY AND UTILITIES, UNITE THE UNION

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