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Turbine firm fails to end sit-in | Turbine firm fails to end sit-in |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Wind turbine company Vestas has failed in an attempt to force workers staging a sit-in at its Isle of Wight factory to leave the building. | Wind turbine company Vestas has failed in an attempt to force workers staging a sit-in at its Isle of Wight factory to leave the building. |
About 25 workers have been occupying the Newport offices since 20 July after the firm announced plans to close the factory, with the loss of 625 jobs. | About 25 workers have been occupying the Newport offices since 20 July after the firm announced plans to close the factory, with the loss of 625 jobs. |
A judge at Newport County Court ruled that removal papers had not been served in accordance with legal rules. | A judge at Newport County Court ruled that removal papers had not been served in accordance with legal rules. |
The case was adjourned until Tuesday. Eleven employees have been sacked. | The case was adjourned until Tuesday. Eleven employees have been sacked. |
'Procedural issues' | 'Procedural issues' |
The court heard that there were "procedural issues" in the way that the court summons were served. | The court heard that there were "procedural issues" in the way that the court summons were served. |
Vestas had named individuals in its court summons and should have served papers to each of them. | Vestas had named individuals in its court summons and should have served papers to each of them. |
However the firm only served them to one of the protesters inside who said he would pass them on, the court heard. | However the firm only served them to one of the protesters inside who said he would pass them on, the court heard. |
Vestas said it could not get in to the property without force because it was secured from the inside. | |
The Danish company is expected to serve court papers later by alternative means later if it can demonstrate it cannot get into the building, and will deliver them outside. | The Danish company is expected to serve court papers later by alternative means later if it can demonstrate it cannot get into the building, and will deliver them outside. |
Vestas said it could not get in to the property without force because it was secured from the inside. | Vestas said it could not get in to the property without force because it was secured from the inside. |
A hearing should have also taken place on Thursday, but the rules require three clear days after papers are served before the next court hearing. | A hearing should have also taken place on Thursday, but the rules require three clear days after papers are served before the next court hearing. |
'No other choice' | 'No other choice' |
Vestas has blamed its decision to close the factory on a lack of demand for wind turbines in the UK market, despite the firm's profits rising. | Vestas has blamed its decision to close the factory on a lack of demand for wind turbines in the UK market, despite the firm's profits rising. |
The factory was scheduled to close this Friday. | The factory was scheduled to close this Friday. |
Sit-in protester Ian Terry told the BBC that they intended to leave the offices "peacefully" if they were forced out. | Sit-in protester Ian Terry told the BBC that they intended to leave the offices "peacefully" if they were forced out. |
He said: "We are not going to resist but we are going to be in here as long as we can." | He said: "We are not going to resist but we are going to be in here as long as we can." |
When it announced the sackings, Vestas said it had "made several attempts to encourage the employees participating in the occupation to discontinue their participation". | When it announced the sackings, Vestas said it had "made several attempts to encourage the employees participating in the occupation to discontinue their participation". |
We are not going to resist but we are going to be in here as long as we can Ian Terry, protesting worker | We are not going to resist but we are going to be in here as long as we can Ian Terry, protesting worker |
It said: "Vestas therefore, unfortunately, saw no other choice than to dismiss the 11 employees, who the company has positively identified as the employees currently participating in the occupation of the factory." | It said: "Vestas therefore, unfortunately, saw no other choice than to dismiss the 11 employees, who the company has positively identified as the employees currently participating in the occupation of the factory." |
The workers are not union members but trade unionists have joined the campaign to keep the factory open, as have environmentalists. | The workers are not union members but trade unionists have joined the campaign to keep the factory open, as have environmentalists. |
The Campaign against Climate Change and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) organised a rally outside the Department of Energy and Climate Change in central London on Tuesday evening. | The Campaign against Climate Change and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) organised a rally outside the Department of Energy and Climate Change in central London on Tuesday evening. |
The Save Vestas rally called on the government to spend more on green energy. | The Save Vestas rally called on the government to spend more on green energy. |
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Firm fails to halt sit-in protest |