Vestas Blade Blockade Steps Up The Pressure By Setting Up A Tripod at Sunsrise
Save Vestas | 10.09.2009 09:27 | Climate Chaos | Energy Crisis | Workers' Movements | South Coast | World
On the morning of Thursday 10 September a tripod has now successfully been erected at the marine gate preventing blades from leaving the factory. A worker from the original occupation is currently standing at the top of the tripod as the blockade prepares for an increase in activity on both sides.
Tripod at Sunrise
10th September 2009, 7am
After more than a week of blockading the Vestas factory in Newport, Isle
Of Wight, a tripod has now been erected at the marine gate preventing
blades from leaving the factory. A worker from the original occupation is
standing on top of the tripod enjoying a stunning view of sunrise over the
River Medina.
This inspirational addition to the blockade followed a day of police
intimidation that included one arrest and one person being banned from the
site after receiving a dispersal order. Blockaders have also had to deal
with the confiscation of one tripod before it had been erected and the
dismantling of one other blockade. Workers and supporters worked together
throughout the night to build the replacement tripod and carry it to the
site as the sun rose. Tripod workshops have been held throughout the week
as climate activists share skills with Vestas Workers. Other skillshares
have included 12 volt solar installations to power the camp’s office in a
caravan.
This action comes one week before a national day of action to further
highlight the plight of the 600 workers made redundant by this
multinational company.
“We the workers see it as our duty to stop our blades from leaving as
part of the campaign to nationalize the factory. Vestas have told us that
there is no demand for our products but are still unwilling to sell the
site to other interested parties. It is clear the government must act on
such an important issue as renewable energy production. They should not
let our future be dictated solely by profit.’’
‘’We are calling on the government to invest in green jobs on the Isle of
Wight and for Vestas to reinstate the eleven sacked workers who occupied
the factory.’’
The workers and their supporters call on others to come and join them on
the blockades over the coming days as a matter of urgency and to show
support on the National Day of Action on 17th September.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS
Telephone number for tripod interviews with Vestas worker: 07875 098960 or
07935 868009
Website: Savevestas.wordpress.com
Email:
savevestas@gmail.com
After more than a week of blockading the Vestas factory in Newport, Isle
Of Wight, a tripod has now been erected at the marine gate preventing
blades from leaving the factory. A worker from the original occupation is
standing on top of the tripod enjoying a stunning view of sunrise over the
River Medina.
This inspirational addition to the blockade followed a day of police
intimidation that included one arrest and one person being banned from the
site after receiving a dispersal order. Blockaders have also had to deal
with the confiscation of one tripod before it had been erected and the
dismantling of one other blockade. Workers and supporters worked together
throughout the night to build the replacement tripod and carry it to the
site as the sun rose. Tripod workshops have been held throughout the week
as climate activists share skills with Vestas Workers. Other skillshares
have included 12 volt solar installations to power the camp’s office in a
caravan.
This action comes one week before a national day of action to further
highlight the plight of the 600 workers made redundant by this
multinational company.
“We the workers see it as our duty to stop our blades from leaving as
part of the campaign to nationalize the factory. Vestas have told us that
there is no demand for our products but are still unwilling to sell the
site to other interested parties. It is clear the government must act on
such an important issue as renewable energy production. They should not
let our future be dictated solely by profit.’’
‘’We are calling on the government to invest in green jobs on the Isle of
Wight and for Vestas to reinstate the eleven sacked workers who occupied
the factory.’’
The workers and their supporters call on others to come and join them on
the blockades over the coming days as a matter of urgency and to show
support on the National Day of Action on 17th September.
PLEASE GET IN TOUCH FOR PHOTOS AND INTERVIEWS
Telephone number for tripod interviews with Vestas worker: 07875 098960 or
07935 868009
Website: Savevestas.wordpress.com
Email:
savevestas@gmail.com
Save Vestas
Homepage:
http://Savevestas.wordpress.com
Comments
Hide the following 5 comments
Further images of Vestas Blades Blockade
10.09.2009 11:36
Tripod at Dawn
Save Vestas
Attempt to Remove Blade Blockade
10.09.2009 11:38
Save Vestas
Worker from original occupation up tripod
10.09.2009 11:39
Save Vestas
Do you still need people to get to the IoW?
10.09.2009 13:07
Kia
Tripod sitter in for the long haul - what he has to say:
10.09.2009 17:13
As he says himself from his perch overlooking the wonderful views on the River Medina;
''What have I got to lose. This is not just a fight for us to be reinstated, but a fight for our future. It has been such an uplifting experience working with such a wide range of people from all over the UK and beyond and the support for this campaign just shows that standing up for ourselves in our workplaces in this way is the only obvious way forward. These are our blades and this is our factory. I will stand up for what I believe and will use any means necessary, we are here for the long haul.''
News of the action today has brought media and lots of supporters from all over the Island down to the Marine Gate Camp. Morale is very high. Bicycolgy have come back to the island today and morale is very high.
Despite people never wanting to leave this amazing protest site, lifes other commitments have to be dealt with at some point and so we ALWAYS need more people to take each others place as numbers go up and down. You do not need to be a climber, everyone is useful. If youare coming down then take a look at travel advice on savevestas.wordpress.com website and give us a call if you have a vehicle with spare spaces. Camp mobile: 07935 868 009.
jax