[1] He joined the Scottish Typographical Association, and in 1874 he was elected as its secretary, serving until 1887, during which time he led a major reorganisation of the society.
In his address to the conference, he argued that the TUC should assist in obtaining a Factory Act regulating conditions of work in India.
[5] Battersby was also active on the Glasgow Trades Council, and when its president, Andrew Boa, emigrated to Australia, he won the post.
[7] For much of this time, the council was officially non-party political, but Battersby was long identified with the Liberal Party.
[8] Battersby remained on the council for more than thirty years, and by his retirement in 1919 was its longest-serving councillor.