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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 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 Protester | What 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 & Conditions | The BBC may edit your comments and not all emails will be published. Your comments may be published on any BBC media worldwide. Terms & Conditions |