POWER TO THE PEOPLE: Octopus Energy and UNISON seal deal to champion good green jobs
Britain’s biggest energy supplier secures recognition agreement with the UK’s biggest union
Octopus and UNISON are a natural fit because both want cheaper, greener energy, not more fossil fuels
The energy giant has created more than 12,000 green jobs in under ten years – around 8,000 of them here in the UK
It’s been named one of Britain’s best places to work by the Financial Times, The Sunday Times, and is highly rated by employees on Glassdoor
UNISON is the UK’s largest union with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy
Members are employed in the public, private and voluntary sectors
London, 22nd October 2026 – Octopus Energy and UNISON have sealed a landmark recognition deal, which will see the energy giant’s workers represented by the UK’s largest trade union.
Octopus says it spoke to several unions in recent months, but that UNISON stood out for its commitment to the energy transition and the creation of good, unionised green jobs.
The company says the deal puts into practice its longstanding support of the right to join a union.
UNISON says it is proud to be leading the way as the clean energy union. It says that the recognition deal is a step towards more unionised green jobs and the transition to green energy.
The agreement sets out how the two organisations will work together for the benefit of the Octopus team.
Jon J. Paull, Chief Operating Officer, Octopus Energy, said: “We spoke to several unions over recent months and kept coming back to UNISON. We share the same goal: a clean energy future that brings bills down and creates good green jobs across the country – from office to field teams.
“We’re proud of the place we’ve built. We’ve created over 12,000 green jobs in under a decade, we’re rated higher on Glassdoor than any other major UK energy supplier, and every employee is a shareholder.
“We’ve always said joining a union is a decision for our people, not for management – this deal puts that into practice.
“Our people are the reason Octopus works, and I look forward to building on those strong foundations with UNISON.”
Andrea Egan, General Secretary, UNISON, said: “UNISON brings workers together not only to win a fairer deal, but to drive the wider transformation of our society and economy. Nothing is more important in that respect than phasing out fossil fuels and replacing them with green energy.
“Climate change threatens us all, but it also presents an opportunity to create millions of good, unionised green jobs. That’s why we’re delighted to announce this deal with Octopus. It’s good news for the company’s workers and for the future of green jobs in this country.
“UNISON is proud to be leading the way as the clean energy union. We urgently need more well-paid, unionised jobs and to transition away from fossil fuels at pace. This agreement is a step in the right direction on both counts.”
Octopus has the highest Glassdoor rating of any major UK energy supplier at 4.4 out of 5 stars, with 85% saying they would recommend their friends and family to work there.
It has been named one of the best places to work in the UK by the Financial Times, The Sunday Times and Fortune – and, importantly, every employee owns a slice of the company, so everyone shares in its success.
ENDS
Notes to editors
Octopus has created over 12,000 green jobs worldwide in ten years, including around 8,000 in the UK.
Around 3,500 of those have been created in the past two years alone, in offices from London, Manchester, Brighton to Leicester and Coventry, plus engineers working up and down the country.
Press Contacts
Octopus Energy Group
About Octopus Energy
Octopus Energy is a global clean energy and technology business, driving the affordable, green energy system of the future. Under its own retail brand, Octopus delivers world-class customer service and cutting-edge energy products to 11 million households globally.
The company is driving the electrification of heat and transport through smart tariffs and innovative clean tech, with operations spanning 27 countries and the entire energy value chain. It operates a £7 billion renewables portfolio as well as thriving EV leasing, heat pump, and solar businesses.
Backed by pension funds, investors and energy giants, Octopus Energy Group businesses deliver cheaper, greener energy and cutting-edge tech to countries and customers worldwide.
For more information, check out our website.