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| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Sit-in wind firm blames UK market | Sit-in wind firm blames UK market |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| The company at the centre of a sit-in protest on the Isle of Wight has said it is moving because the wind turbine market in the UK is "not big enough". | The company at the centre of a sit-in protest on the Isle of Wight has said it is moving because the wind turbine market in the UK is "not big enough". |
| Vestas Wind Systems told the BBC that even though demand was strong globally it made "more sense" to make turbines as close to the market as possible. | Vestas Wind Systems told the BBC that even though demand was strong globally it made "more sense" to make turbines as close to the market as possible. |
| It comes on the fifth day of a sit-in protest by 25 workers inside the plant demonstrating against job cuts. | It comes on the fifth day of a sit-in protest by 25 workers inside the plant demonstrating against job cuts. |
| Hundreds have attended a rally for the protesters in Newport, a worker said. | |
| Vestas worker Sean McDonagh, 33, said he believed at least 400 people gathered at St Thomas' Square on Friday evening. | |
| "It was overwhelming," he added. "The faces in the crowd tonight were islanders and there was a sense of unity." | |
| 'Peaceful solution' | 'Peaceful solution' |
| Mr McDonagh said the demonstrations would now be daily. | |
| Peter Kruse, spokesman from Vestas Wind Systems, told the BBC they were "patient people" but the workers - who are not members of a union - had been warned that there will be "consequences". | |
| He said: "We have told them that it (the sit-in) can have consequences. We are talking to the people inside. They will not starve, we will cater for them with proper meals. | He said: "We have told them that it (the sit-in) can have consequences. We are talking to the people inside. They will not starve, we will cater for them with proper meals. |
| We have a worthwhile fight and being threatened with criminal charges, it doesn't really wash with us Ian Terry, protesting worker Workers talk of sit-in life | We have a worthwhile fight and being threatened with criminal charges, it doesn't really wash with us Ian Terry, protesting worker Workers talk of sit-in life |
| "We are patient people and have a lot of time, we strongly hope for a peaceful solution and a dignified solution. | |
| "It's normal that people are angry and frustrated and unhappy with what's going on." | "It's normal that people are angry and frustrated and unhappy with what's going on." |
| The company moved to the island in 2000 because of skills possessed in the fibreglass yachting industry. | The company moved to the island in 2000 because of skills possessed in the fibreglass yachting industry. |
| Mr Kruse said things moved "very slowly" onshore in the UK and the company would now develop a plant in the US. | |
| He said: "It makes more sense to make the turbines as close to the market as possible. | He said: "It makes more sense to make the turbines as close to the market as possible. |
| "There is a market in the UK but it's not big enough for the time being." | "There is a market in the UK but it's not big enough for the time being." |
| A protest began on Monday after plans were announced to cut 625 jobs despite rising profits. Workers barricaded themselves inside an office. | |
| The factory, which makes wind turbines, is believed to be shutting next Friday. | The factory, which makes wind turbines, is believed to be shutting next Friday. |
| One of the workers staging the occupation, Ian Terry, told the BBC they would not be moved, even by the threat of criminal prosecution. | |
| He said: "The company's made no losses, only massive profits. The reason that they're moving abroad is to maximise profits more than to secure the future of their company. | He said: "The company's made no losses, only massive profits. The reason that they're moving abroad is to maximise profits more than to secure the future of their company. |
| "So I think we have a worthwhile fight and being threatened with criminal charges, it doesn't really wash with us." | "So I think we have a worthwhile fight and being threatened with criminal charges, it doesn't really wash with us." |
| Tempting bacon | Tempting bacon |
| Speaking from inside the factory a worker told the BBC everyone seemed to be in "good spirits". | Speaking from inside the factory a worker told the BBC everyone seemed to be in "good spirits". |
| He added: "There's a few sore backs from sleeping on the floor so we are a bit achy but apart from that it's going well, we are remaining strong. | He added: "There's a few sore backs from sleeping on the floor so we are a bit achy but apart from that it's going well, we are remaining strong. |
| "People are coming along to show their support and that means a lot to us, the more support we get the better. | "People are coming along to show their support and that means a lot to us, the more support we get the better. |
| "This is for the island and we have to save these jobs, there's lots of families affected." | "This is for the island and we have to save these jobs, there's lots of families affected." |
| He joked that security guards were trying to tempt them out with the smell of bacon being cooked from inside in the building. | He joked that security guards were trying to tempt them out with the smell of bacon being cooked from inside in the building. |
| Protesters survived on cheese rolls, oranges and cans of fizzy drinks yesterday, which had been supplied by the Danish-owned company. | |
| A total of five men have now been arrested at the site, police said. | A total of five men have now been arrested at the site, police said. |