Question reference: S5W-36177
- Asked by: Elaine Smith, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish Labour
- Date lodged: 11 March 2021
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Current status: Answered by Paul Wheelhouse on 23 March 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason trade unions are not included in the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council’s terms of reference.
Answer
We engage with trade union partners on matters affecting the supply chain and workforce through a number of routes, including in specific discussions focused on supply chain and jobs in the sector.
Although the Scottish Offshore Wind Energy Council's (SOWEC) Terms of Reference does not make explicit reference to trade unions, it is committed to engaging with stakeholders across the offshore wind sector in Scotland, including representatives of trade unions, to achieve its Vision and Strategic Goals and tackle the challenges that offshore wind projects in Scotland face.
Nevertheless, this is a an area where I have suggested we would benefit from better engagement with trade unions and I recognise that it would be beneficial for the Council to set out in clear terms its willingness to engage with trade unions in an appropriate way. We will liaise with the members of SOWEC to amend its Terms of Reference to reflect this objective.