Workers Power The Future

Workers to Westminster Live Blog

On Tuesday 29th October, more than 100 GMB members working in energy and energy-intensive industries went to Westminster to lobby MPs for the voice of workers to be heard in the transition.


If the transition is to deliver jobs, prosperity and security, and fulfil our climate obligations, then change must be done with workers - not to them.


Catch up on events from the Workers Power the Future campaign day below.

Last update: 29 Oct 2024

Further Links

Workers Power the Future Liveblog

Parliamentary Lobby Workers to Westminster! Andy's Story Offshore Wind Manufacturing and Fabrication Jobs Where next for nuclear? Introduction from Gary Smith, General Secretary
Workers Power the Future Liveblog

Parliamentary Lobby

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Thank you to the more than 50 MPs who came to meet our members and hear from them about the challenges facing their industries and communities.

A GMB member from Northern Gas Networks addresses MPs.

Richard Baker, MP for Glenrothes and Mid Fife, met with George who has worked at Harland and Wolff in Methil for more than 50 years.

GMB National Officer for Engineering & Construction Charlotte Brumpton-Childs spoke to Jack Abbott, MP for Ipswich, about the opportunities for his constituency of the Sizewell C nuclear project.

Women working in the Potteries met with Gareth Snell, MP for Stoke on Trent Central, and talked about the difficulties that rising energy costs pose for their production processes and the future of the Potteries.

Workers to Westminster!

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Our members are here to lobby their MPs and make sure that the voice of workers is heard in the transition.

We'll be meeting with MPs in Parliament this afternoon so that MPs can better understand the complicated jobs our members do and the challenges facing their industries.

Andy's Story

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Offshore Wind Manufacturing and Fabrication Jobs

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George who has worked for 50 years at what is now the Harland & Wolff yard at Methil has watched the Neart na Gaoithe offshore wind project constructed off the coast of Fife - in sight of Methil yard.

However, only a fraction of the work was awarded to the his yard yard, and George believes we need investment in our supply chain infrastructure in order to compete.

"In 1973, we were better equipped than we are now. We bid now, we have to hire everything. No chance of winning bids without investment."

Where next for nuclear?

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A nuclear worker at Dungeness B nuclear power station asks about the future of nuclear energy.

"We talk about the tens of thousands of workers at Hinkley transferring over to Sizewell, but what's next? What about Wylfa?"

Gary Smith responds that he hopes to hear a decision on Sizewell in tomorrow's budget.

Introduction from Gary Smith, General Secretary

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It's standing room only at Congress House this morning, where more than 100 GMB members working in energy and energy intensive industries have come together to talk about the transition and the future of their trades.

GMB General Secretary Gary Smith opens it up to the floor for workers to say why they're here. The first contributor says they're here for "security - for jobs for their children and grandchildren."

As we go around the room, members call for energy independence, for investment in skills and apprenticeships, and for a secure future for their communities in the potteries and in the North East that are dependent on their industries.

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