Energy giant Ovo is preparing to axe 1,700 staff as part of voluntary redundancy programme in a bid to save money as the energy crisis continues to unfold across the country.
The company has attracted fierce criticism for the decision which comes as it pays bosses millions of pounds.
On Tuesday, Ovo was condemned for urging customers to do “star jumps” to keep warm in response to soaring wholesale costs which could see some households paying upwards of £2,000 a year for energy this year.
Unite said Ovo was culling staff despite estimating that the firm’s top directors were paid £4.6 million in salaries and benefits over the past five years.
Ovo’s accounts do not name those who pocketed the money.
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Stephen Fitzpatrick, the firm’s motor racing-loving founder who once criticised big energy firms when he sat beside them before MPs, is worth an estimated £675million.
The 45-year-old is reportedly owns a £3.2million, five-bed mansion in the Cotswolds, with a swimming pool and set in 12 acres of land.
Bristol-based Ovo Energy was transformed into Britain’s third-biggest energy supplier last year after taking over rival SSE’s retail customer base.
The company refused to comment on Thursday.
Unite national officer for energy, Simon Coop said: “We warned the directors about blundering into the SSE takeover.
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“In recent years the same directors have plundered the accounts for amounts estimated to be touching £5 million.
“So, the company must be subject to severe scrutiny before the union decides on our next moves, but if they move to compulsory redundancies they will be fully opposed by the union.”
Unison’s head of energy, Matt Lay, said: “Hard-working staff across the company will be devastated as they anxiously await their fate.
“Closing offices will hit local economies hard too.
“Staff have been dealt a cruel blow.”
Sue Ferns, senior deputy general secretary of the Prospect union, added: “These job losses at Ovo are a further result of the crisis in energy retail.”
