GMB union: Wandsworth Labour decision 'disrespectful' to Battersea Power Station construction workers

11 October 2022 Download as PDF

The site will host more than 15,000 jobs when fully open, and Wandsworth Labour should be fully behind the opening

GMB Southern commented on the decision by the leadership of the Labour councillors in Wandsworth not to attend the opening ceremony of Battersea Power station on Wednesday 12 October. This decision is documented at https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-london-63176454

Justin Bowden, GMB Regional Secretary said: "This decision by the leadership of the Labour councillors in Wandsworth not to attend the opening of Battersea Power station is disrespectful to more than 4,000 trade union members whose skills and experience restored this Grade 2 listed building over the past nine years. It also is disrespectful to the 176 local residents who have served apprenticeships on the site.

"The decision also undervalues the fact that when the site - which lay derelict for 40 years - is fully open it will be the location for more than 15,000 jobs. Then there is the new tube line installed as an integral part of the regeneration of Battersea Power station, well used and valued by local residents and which will bring in tourists and visitors by the thousands, and their cash. "GMB will be there at Wednesday's ceremony to mark these achievements, which it is possible to do at the same time as seeking to maximise the availability of genuinely affordable social housing in the borough, which is paramount too. These matters are not mutually exclusive.”