This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/hampshire/8160331.stm

The article has changed 11 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 3 Version 4
Turbine factory shuts over sit-in Turbine factory shuts over sit-in
(about 2 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. A sit-in protest by about 25 workers has closed the Vestas wind turbine factory on the Isle of Wight.
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 said a consultation on the site's future was still on-going.
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.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 ProtesterWhat 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. Police said about 200 workers are protesting outside the factory after being turned away when they arrived earlier.
"They have closed the factory, apart from allowing senior management in. It's a lock out," he said. "They have closed the factory, apart from allowing senior management in. It's a lock out," one said.
"This is obviously in response to the occupation, which is going to continue until the government does something about this." The protesters have locked themselves in a first floor office and claim no members of senior management, who have been let into the site, have come to talk to them.
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. A demonstrator, who did not want to be named, said police in riot gear had gathered outside the office.
He 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.
The workers entered the offices at about 1930 BSTThe 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." He said those inside had slept on the floor overnight with people doing shifts to stay up and guard the doors.
He added people had been passing food up to a balcony.
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.
"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 monitoring the situation. It appears to be quite amicable.
He said officers were trying to ensure normal activities around the site were not affected. "[But] when we do get a demonstration we have to prepare resources."
Officers are trying to ensure normal activities around the site are not affected.
Vestas said in a statement it would not comment due to the on-going consultation process.
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 & 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