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Turbine workers' sit-in continues Turbine workers' sit-in continues
(10 minutes later)
About 20 workers from the Vestas wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight have spent the night inside the firms' offices staging a sit-in protest.About 20 workers from the Vestas wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight have spent the night inside the firms' offices staging a sit-in protest.
Danish company Vestas Windsystems is laying off 625 workers at the end of July, despite rising profits.Danish company Vestas Windsystems is laying off 625 workers at the end of July, despite rising profits.
It said the Newport factory was being closed due to reduced demand for wind turbines in northern Europe.It said the Newport factory was being closed due to reduced demand for wind turbines in northern Europe.
Those inside the offices in Cowes have vowed to remain there until "somebody listens to us". Those inside the offices in Newport have vowed to remain there until "somebody listens to us".
They began their protest at about 1930 BST on Monday.They began their protest at about 1930 BST on Monday.
Workers and their unions have previously called for government action to preserve jobs at a time when ministers are pledging a commitment to renewable energy.Workers and their unions have previously called for government action to preserve jobs at a time when ministers are pledging a commitment to renewable energy.
What we would like to see is the government actually taking it over and possibly nationalising it ProtesterWhat we would like to see is the government actually taking it over and possibly nationalising it Protester
One of the protesters, who did not want to be named, said: "It is our last-ditch attempt to save the jobs.One of the protesters, who did not want to be named, said: "It is our last-ditch attempt to save the jobs.
"This is a green industry and the government keep harping on about how much they want to get all these hundreds of thousands of green jobs going."This is a green industry and the government keep harping on about how much they want to get all these hundreds of thousands of green jobs going.
"But then they go and close the only wind turbine plant in England."But then they go and close the only wind turbine plant in England.
"The government offered to give Vestas money to keep it going, but apparently Vestas turned this down."The government offered to give Vestas money to keep it going, but apparently Vestas turned this down.
"What we would like to see is the government actually taking it over and possibly nationalising it.""What we would like to see is the government actually taking it over and possibly nationalising it."
Police officers are in attendance at the protest, which was described as peaceful. No arrests have been made.Police officers are in attendance at the protest, which was described as peaceful. No arrests have been made.
The Vestas factory is set to shut at the end of July with the loss of 525 jobs at the blade manufacturing and research plant at Newport, and a further 100 in Southampton.The Vestas factory is set to shut at the end of July with the loss of 525 jobs at the blade manufacturing and research plant at Newport, and a further 100 in Southampton.
The news of the job cuts came as the organisation, which is the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbines, reported a quarterly sales rise of 59% to 1.11bn euros.The news of the job cuts came as the organisation, which is the world's largest manufacturer of wind turbines, reported a quarterly sales rise of 59% to 1.11bn euros.
Vestas is one of the largest employers of skilled labour on the island.Vestas is one of the largest employers of skilled labour on the island.


Do you work at the Vestas factory? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.Do you work at the Vestas factory? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments and experiences using the form below.
The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & ConditionsThe BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions