Events | 2009.08.04
Vestas wins order to repossess plant
Judge backs wind turbine firm as Isle of Wight protests spread to second factory in row over green jobs
The owners of a wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight won a repossession order today in their attempt to end an occupation of the plant by workers protesting at planned job losses.
A judge at Newport county court granted the order after environmental activists staged a protest at a second wind turbine factory on the island as part of a campaign to save hundreds of jobs in the green energy sector.
A barrister for the original group of 11 protesting workers told the court the order had not been properly served, but the judge, Graham White, granted it.
A notice of eviction will now be sent informing the workers of when bailiffs will arrive. Typically a few days notice is given.
Peter Kruse, a spokesman for Vestas, suggested the eviction would not take place today. "We are in no hurry," he said. "We are as patient as we have been all the way. We will remain patient optimists hoping for a peaceful solution in the interests of all the parties, particularly including the people inside."
After the court hearing, a group of about 200 supporters marched to the plant on the St Cross industrial estate where they were greeted with cheers from the occupying workers on the balcony. Gathered outside the building they chanted: "We fight on."
One of the workers inside spoke to the assembled crowd, calling for national days of action on Saturday and Wednesday when other workers in the country should down tools or hold a rally to support them.
"We want the protest to continue," he said. "But we want it to remain peaceful. This place has a future and we shall not give up on that."
Bob Crow, general secretary of the RMT union, who was in court for today\'s hearing, said the union would continue with its campaign to save the jobs. "The court has made its decision, but we will continue with our campaign and the right to work on green energy jobs," he said.
Crow attacked both Vestas and the government, saying ministers had been "despicable" in failing even to meet the workers or the union to discuss the possibility of other work going to the factory.
The campaigners at the second protest occupied the roof of the Vestas Wind Systems factory in Cowes, vowing to stay there until the sacked Newport group were reinstated.
Three activists could be seen on the roof of the Cowes building, which faces the waterfront. A fourth protester appeared to be abseiling from the roof to attach a banner that read: "Vestas Workers – Solidarity in Occupation. Save Green Jobs." He waved to ferry passengers in the harbour, who whistled back from the boat.
Speaking before the verdict, the Newport workers said their morale had been boosted by the sit-in at Cowes. Ian Terry, one of the 11, said: "It is good to know that others are willing to stand up and fight for green jobs."
The Cowes factory was occupied at 4am by a Climate Camp group and a member of the RMT union. The protest was timed to coincide with Cowes week, the annual sailing regatta. The activists issued a statement saying tens of thousands of people were visiting the island for an event celebrating the natural power of wind.
"At the same time," they said, "workers at Vestas are struggling to keep Britain\'s only wind turbine blade manufacturer open. Factories in Cowes, Newport and Southampton are being closed with the loss of over 600 jobs, as well as many more in support industries."
The group criticised Vestas for leaving employees "high and dry" and accused the company of paying "peanuts" in redundancy settlements and leaving workers with little hope of finding other jobs on the island.
One of the group said: "We are staying here until everyone is reinstated and the closure decision is reversed."
Yesterday, climate change activists were arrested after gluing themselves together outside the headquarters of the Department of Energy and Climate Change in London in support of the sit-in workers. The protesters, who held up banners saying "Take back the wind power", blockaded the main entrance to the building for several hours before they were detained.
The Trades Union Congress general secretary, Brendan Barber, urged Vestas to rethink its closure decision. He said: "Ed Miliband [the climate change secretary] has proved himself to be a champion of the green agenda and the drive to create new jobs. Now we are asking him to go the extra mile for the 600 workers and the production facility – the only one of its size in Britain – which is vital to building our low-carbon future. Everything must be done to look for positive alternatives."
For more information, please visit
http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2009/aug/04/vestas-cowes-protest
