UNION members from across Scotland gathered outside Scottish Power headquarters in Glasgow on Friday to protest energy companies’ “unfettered profiteering”.
Organised by Unite the union, campaigners gathered on the eve of the energy price cap rise with banners, flags and a soundsystem in a bid to have their voices heard on the energy crisis.
Around 60 protesters arrived on the scene, holding placards and dancing to music blaring from the PA soundsystem.
Paint had been thrown at the front of the office building which police said was done before the protest began, early on Friday morning.
Unite organiser Claire Peden, who organised the event, said: “We’re here today to put a stake in the ground. We’re sick and fed up of big profiteers lining their own pockets while people can’t afford to heat their homes or eat.”
Peden added that the protest was not targeted at the workers inside the building but the policies that Scottish Power had profited from.
Speaking with The National, she said: “We understand this is a working-class struggle, the workers inside this building are just the same as us. They are struggling to pay their bills, their rent and their mortgages. They have been cast aside by politicians that are refusing to take adequate action.
“Now is the time for us to organise and to build our campaign to demand change from large corporations, not just Scottish Power. This is part of a bigger picture and it’s time for us to unite together and fight back.”
The protest came amid extremely poor weather, with rain lashing down on the activists outside the building.
During a lull in the dance music, Unite’s national officer for utilities and energy, Simon Coop, addressed the crowd.
Referencing the impending rise to the energy price cap, he said: “This will put more people into poverty and the situation is clear that this crisis, not caused by anyone here but brought about by a failed government system, has clearly put all its bets on privatisation.
“It is gambling with our energy security and gambling with consumers, with people who now cannot bare the coming winter months.”
Peden also addressed the rally, noting that “none of us want to be here outside Scottish Power, demanding dignity and respect for people”.
She continued: “The truth is, Scottish Power’s massive profits have gotten to a disgusting level …
“It’s a classic example of those at the top getting richer while we are expected to scrape the barrel. Today we are saying ‘no more’ - we have had enough!”
The protest follows a week of economic crisis and turmoil in the wake of Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s mini-budget published last Friday.
Scottish Power has been contacted for comment.
