GMB Union has launched a formal recognition bid at Octopus Energy.
The union has today [Thursday] written to the company's founder Greg Jackson requesting ‘voluntary recognition for the purpose of collective bargaining '.
GMB has hundreds of members across Octopus’s Manchester and Brighton sites and has called on the company to react constructively and ‘avoid the need to pursue statutory recognition through the Central Arbitration Committee' (CAC).
The CAC is the independent body which can force a company to recognise a union if sufficient numbers of the workforce are engaged.
Octopus energy last year overtook British Gas as the UK’s largest domestic energy supplier [1] but boss Mr Jackson has previously claimed unions are not needed at the company.
Nadine Houghton, GMB Regional Secretary, said:
“GMB has hundreds of members across Octopus Energy and they are clear; they want their union to negotiate with bosses on their pay, terms and conditions.
“The recognition deals we already have in place with major energy suppliers deliver a happier workforce and a more productive company.
“We hope Octopus will want to benefit too – but we will take our case to the CAC if we must, to make sure our members’ voices are heard.”
