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Shots will be fired across the bows of Labour\u2019s flagship “green transition” policy.<\/p>\n
The country\u2019s second and third biggest unions – Unite and the GMB – are concerned about jobs in the oil and gas industry.<\/p>\n
The former union claims 30,000 jobs are at risk and is opposed to ending new oil and gas licences in the North Sea without guarantees on alternative employment.<\/p>\n
The latter union calls for an energy strategy which includes not just nuclear and renewables but “oil and gas production,” arguing that “gas remains vital to powering UK manufacturing”.<\/p>\n
Sources suggest the union would rather pursue their objectives through negotiation rather than open confrontation.<\/p>\n
The shopworkers\u2019 union Usdaw is usually pretty loyal to the Labour leadership \u2013 and head-on criticism of the government from its leadership isn\u2019t anticipated.<\/p>\n
But the union is calling for the two child benefit cap to be lifted.<\/p>\n
A similar call from seven Labour MPs led to their temporary suspension from their parliamentary party, when they voted with the SNP on this soon after the election.<\/p>\n
And Usdaw wants to see a more ambitious plan to tackle poverty.<\/p>\n
The union\u2019s leader Paddy Lillis said: “We are calling on the Labour government to promote properly funded social security and employment reform by urgently convening a taskforce to make work pay, end poverty, offer a proper safety net and promote equality.”<\/p>\n
The wider question is how much impact the trade unions will have. Labour has broadened its donor base and is less dependent on union funding.<\/p>\n
Sources stress that even if some critical motions are passed, few would expect the Labour leadership simply and quickly to concede demands.<\/p>\n
The employment rights agenda has helped foster goodwill.<\/p>\n
But in some areas – especially on the journey to net zero – tensions remain.<\/p>\n
And where jobs are under threat in other industries – notably steel \u2013 calls for the new government to do more seem inevitable.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
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