A statement released by the workers in occupation at the Vestas wind turbine blade factory in Newport, on the Isle of Wight.
Demo outside the factory 5pm today!
Demo outside the factory 5pm today!
” As workers at a wind turbine manufacturer, we were confident that as the recession took hold that green or renewable energy would be the area where many jobs could be created – not lost.
So we were horrified to find out that our jobs were moving abroad and that more than 525 jobs from the Isle of Wight and Southampton were going to be added to the already poor state of island unemployment.
This has sent, and will continue to send, shockwaves of uncertainty through countless families on the island – many of which are being forced to relocate away from the island.
We find this hard to stomach as the government are getting away with claiming they are investing heavily in these types of industry.
Only last week they said they would create 400,000 green jobs. How can the process start with 600 of us losing our jobs?
Now I’m not sure about you but we think it’s about time that if the government can spend billions bailing out the banks – and even nationalise them – then surely they can do the same at Vestas.
The people of Vestas matter, and the people of the island matter, but equally importantly the people of this planet matter. We will not be brushed under the carpet by a government which is claiming to help us.
We have occupied our factory and call on the government to step in and nationalise it. We and many others believe it is essential that we continue to keep our factory open for our families and livelihoods, but also for the future of the planet.
We call on Ed Miliband as the relevant minister to come to the island and tell us to our face why it makes sense for the government to launch a campaign to expand green energy at the same moment at the country’s only major wind turbine producer closes.
Please show your support!
Protest at Newport Vestas at 5pm today [off Dondor Lane - Monks Brook Newport, Isle Of Wight, PO30 5WZ]
Demonstrate Friday 24th of July Friday 5.30pm St. Thomas square Newport”
So we were horrified to find out that our jobs were moving abroad and that more than 525 jobs from the Isle of Wight and Southampton were going to be added to the already poor state of island unemployment.
This has sent, and will continue to send, shockwaves of uncertainty through countless families on the island – many of which are being forced to relocate away from the island.
We find this hard to stomach as the government are getting away with claiming they are investing heavily in these types of industry.
Only last week they said they would create 400,000 green jobs. How can the process start with 600 of us losing our jobs?
Now I’m not sure about you but we think it’s about time that if the government can spend billions bailing out the banks – and even nationalise them – then surely they can do the same at Vestas.
The people of Vestas matter, and the people of the island matter, but equally importantly the people of this planet matter. We will not be brushed under the carpet by a government which is claiming to help us.
We have occupied our factory and call on the government to step in and nationalise it. We and many others believe it is essential that we continue to keep our factory open for our families and livelihoods, but also for the future of the planet.
We call on Ed Miliband as the relevant minister to come to the island and tell us to our face why it makes sense for the government to launch a campaign to expand green energy at the same moment at the country’s only major wind turbine producer closes.
Please show your support!
Protest at Newport Vestas at 5pm today [off Dondor Lane - Monks Brook Newport, Isle Of Wight, PO30 5WZ]
Demonstrate Friday 24th of July Friday 5.30pm St. Thomas square Newport”
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Ed Milliband
21.07.2009 13:27
Danish company, Vestas Windsystems, plans to lay off 625 workers at the end of July, despite rising profits. The company blames British nimbyism, but the government has offered Vestas money to stay open and Vestas has refused.
Here is a golden opportunity for the government to do the right thing. It needs to take over the plant – or, even better, allow the workers to take over the plant – and generate it’s own order of much needed wind turbines. This would create several thousand jobs (in both the manufacture of turbines and the construction of wind-farms) and provide much needed orders for raw materials. The plant and turbines would become public assets and we would move a lot closer to our green energy objectives with less money being swallowed up by the private sector.
Get in touch with Minister for Energy & Climate Change, Ed Milliband on
Ed Milliband
How to get involved - practical info
21.07.2009 17:54
National express coaches go London to Southampton every hour, with funfares from £5 booking online.
Megabus coaches go London to Southampton at 0839, 1039, 1239. 1439, 1600 and 2139, with prices from £6 (the 1600 ones tend to be the cheapest).
Both arrive at the National Express station on Harbour Parade in Southampton, about ten minutes walk from the Isle of Wight ferry terminal (the Red Funnel terminal). To get to the terminal:
1. Head south on Harbour Parade
Go through 1 roundabout
2. Turn left at A3057/W Quay Rd
Continue to follow A3057
Go through 1 roundabout
3. Turn right at Bugle St
Destination will be on the left
Red funnel ferries cost £7 at the desk, and from £4 booking in advance online. When you arrive on the Island, take the chain ferry from East Cowes to Cowes, then the No. 1 bus to Newport from the stop on Newport Rd, and contact Ed Maltby on 07775 763 750.
For more information about the campaign on the Island and what you can do, email
Anyetka
e-mail:
applepeelings@googlemail.com