Workers occupying the Vestas wind turbine factory in Newport on the Isle of Wight demanded the nationalisation of the plant yesterday.
In a defiant statement, they said: ‘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 spends 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.’
The workers began their occupation at 7.30pm on Monday night.
The occupation followed the announcement by Danish company Vestas Windsystems that it intends to sack 525 workers at the blade manufacturing and research plant at Newport, and a further 100 workers at its plant in Southampton.
Yesterday morning 25 workers were occupying the factory, while 200 workers demonstrated outside after riot police prevented them from joining their colleagues when they arrived.
The occupiers are locked in a first floor office with supporters passing food up to a balcony.
Lindsay Williams, Branch Secretary Portsmouth City Branch Unison, told News Line: ‘We’ve had a text message from inside the plant saying that demonstrators have got through the police cordon and have joined the workers inside.
‘These workers are just trying to save their jobs and save their factory.
‘The company do not like trade unions and don’t recognise trade unions and we’ve heard that they are antagonistic to anyone attempting to join or organise a union in the factory.
‘We support the workers’ call for the nationalisation of the plant.’
Meanwhile Unite issued a statement. It is opposed to the nationalisation demand and is opposed to the occupation.
John Rowse, Unite national secretary for manufacturing, said: ‘It is not too late to save these plants. If the government addresses the blockages in the planning system to counter the “Not-in-my-back-yard brigade” then there will be massively increased demand for wind turbines.
‘We urge the government to match its green rhetoric with action to support green jobs, saving Vestas would send out a clear message that it is serious about saving the environment as well as supporting UK manufacturing.’
