Keep the lights on

Confirmation that Npower is cutting a total of 2,400 jobs is a ‘bitter blow’ for workers and the energy sector Britain’s largest union, Unite said today (Tuesday 8 March) as it vowed to protect skills and jobs.

 
Unite which represents meter readers, revenue protection officers, gas fitters and electricians warned Npower against ‘cutting too far, too fast’ and ‘self-defeating cuts’ as bosses sought to turn the loss making firm around.

 
Today’s confirmed job losses include 450 losses recently announced by Npower in the firm’s home and social team with the first tranche of redundancies expected at the end of this year, followed by a second tranche at the end of 2017.

 
Talks on the detail of today’s announcement are expected to take place between unions and Npower over the coming weeks and months.

 
“Confirmation of these job losses on this scale is a bitter blow for workers, their communities and the wider energy sector,” said Unite national officer Kevin Coyne.

 
“Npower’s ability to repair its tarnished image and keep the lights on for its customers will hinge on a workforce which has worked hard over the past year to turn the company around.

 
“They should not be made to pay for the company’s past mismanagement with their livelihoods and we would urge Npower not to cut too far, too fast and lose vital skills which could undermine it in the long term,” he added.

 
“Our members are the backbone of Npower and over the coming days and weeks as we scrutinise the company’s plans, our number one priority will protecting jobs and customer service.”