Perth-based energy giant SSE has offered workers redundancy as it looks to shed 400 jobs, it has been revealed.
The firm, which employs 2000 people at its base in Inveralmond, offered a number of its staff voluntary redundancy this morning (Wednesday, May 8).
Unite the Union, which represents around 4000 SSE employees, claims 444 jobs are set to go across its SSE Retail sector following the poor take-up of smart meters.
Tony Keeling, chief operating officer and co-head of retail at SSE Energy Services, said: “Like a number of suppliers, we are facing challenges due to competition increasing, the introduction of the energy price cap and higher operating costs.
“To run a sustainable business, we need to become more efficient and ensure we have the right number of employees in the right locations to best serve our customers.
“We are committed to engaging and consulting openly and transparently with colleagues, our trade union partners and appropriate employee representatives and have today announced voluntary enhanced redundancy opportunities for some of our customer service and metering teams.”
Unite is now calling on Claire Perry, minister for energy and clean growth, to boost the public education campaign on the benefits of installing smart meters.
Peter McIntosh, national officer for energy and utilities at Unite, said: “Today’s announcement by SSE Retail is disappointing, but not unexpected.
“Unite will oppose any attempts by the company to introduce compulsory redundancies.
“Demand for smart meters to be fitted in households has not reached the levels expected by the company - hence the job losses announced by the SSE retail sector.
“This situation is as a result of yet another failed government policy.”
