Date 28 November 2006

New ScottishPower owners must keep business intact - UNISON

UNISON, Scotland's largest energy union today responded to the announcement that the Board of ScottishPower are to recommend the acquisition of the company by the Spanish energy company Iberdrola, by demanding that any new owner guarantees the integrity of the business and the jobs and conditions of staff.

UNISON Scottish Organiser Dave Watson said: "If this bid is accepted both customers and staff will want urgent reassurance from the new owners that this Scottish success story will be maintained as an integrated business. This means that jobs will be retained in Scotland and the rest of the UK business. And that there will be no undermining of staff terms and conditions including the successful share ownership scheme”

"The proposed takeover again highlights the nonsense of the so-called ‘liberalised energy market' where European companies can acquire successful UK companies whilst their home market is largely protected.”

The union points out that the key to ScottishPower's success has been to maintain the loyalty of customers and staff by building an integrated business with jobs and services based in the UK. Workforce loyalty has been built on constructive industrial relations and fair terms and conditions. Staff are also owners of the business through the employee share ownership scheme and that has been an important incentive.

ENDS

For Further Information Please Contact: Dave Watson (Scottish organiser) - 07958 122 409 Gerry Crawley (Regional officer) - 07970 187 851 (m) Chris Bartter (Communications Officer) 0771 558 3729(m)

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