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Turbine factory shuts over sit-in | Turbine factory shuts over sit-in |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Workers arriving at the Vestas wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight are being turned away by police due to a sit-in protest by about 25 employees. | Workers arriving at the Vestas wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight are being turned away by police due to a sit-in protest by about 25 employees. |
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 Newport offices say they will stay until "someone listens". Vestas has so far not commented. | Those inside the Newport offices say they will stay until "someone listens". Vestas has so far not commented. |
The workers began their protest at about 1930 BST on Monday. | The workers began their protest at about 1930 BST on Monday. |
Workers 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 |
An employee said hundreds of workers were protesting outside the factory after being turned away by police when they arrived earlier. | |
"They have closed the factory, apart from allowing senior management in. It's a lock out," he said. | |
"This is obviously in response to the occupation, which is going to continue until the government does something about this." | |
One of the protesters inside the factory, 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 workers entered the offices at about 1930 BST | The workers entered the offices at about 1930 BST |
"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." |
But a worker who was unable to enter the factory earlier told the BBC: "I admire what they are trying to do but I don't think it will come to much. | But a worker who was unable to enter the factory earlier told the BBC: "I admire what they are trying to do but I don't think it will come to much. |
"The parent company is committed to closing the plant. | "The parent company is committed to closing the plant. |
"I think my prospects are pretty grim, I'm 60 next year, not much to look forward to." | "I think my prospects are pretty grim, I'm 60 next year, not much to look forward to." |
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. |
A spokesman said: "Police are attending to maintain the peace." | A spokesman said: "Police are attending to maintain the peace." |
He said officers were trying to ensure normal activities around the site were not affected. | He said officers were trying to ensure normal activities around the site were not affected. |
A number of climate change protesters have also set up camp outside the factory in support of the workers inside. | A number of climate change protesters have also set up camp outside the factory in support of the workers inside. |
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 |