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Rooftop demo to support workers | |
(20 minutes later) | |
Five people have begun a rooftop protest on the Isle of Wight over the planned closure of a wind turbine blade factory, with the loss of 625 jobs. | |
They have climbed the Venture Quays building in Cowes, during the world-famous Cowes Week regatta, over the closure of the Vestas plant in Newport. | They have climbed the Venture Quays building in Cowes, during the world-famous Cowes Week regatta, over the closure of the Vestas plant in Newport. |
It comes as the firm plans to evict about 20 workers who barricaded themselves into the plant 15 days ago. | It comes as the firm plans to evict about 20 workers who barricaded themselves into the plant 15 days ago. |
The Danish company is going to the courts to seek a repossession order. | The Danish company is going to the courts to seek a repossession order. |
A spokesman declined to comment on the rooftop protest. | |
The four men and one woman have hung banners reading: "In solidarity with the Vestas workers" and "Fight for green jobs". | The four men and one woman have hung banners reading: "In solidarity with the Vestas workers" and "Fight for green jobs". |
'Government hypocrisy' | 'Government hypocrisy' |
They told the BBC News website they would stay there until all the workers were given their jobs back. | They told the BBC News website they would stay there until all the workers were given their jobs back. |
We are staying here until the workers are re-instated Martin Shaw, roof-top protester | We are staying here until the workers are re-instated Martin Shaw, roof-top protester |
One of the protesters is a member of the RMT but is not believed to be a Vestas worker. | One of the protesters is a member of the RMT but is not believed to be a Vestas worker. |
The other four - three men and one woman - said they were from the "climate camp" and were not from the island. | The other four - three men and one woman - said they were from the "climate camp" and were not from the island. |
Martin Shaw, 44, told the BBC News website: "We are here to highlight government hypocrisy whereby they talk about a green future but are prepared to spend billions and billions of taxpayers' money on baling out the banks. | Martin Shaw, 44, told the BBC News website: "We are here to highlight government hypocrisy whereby they talk about a green future but are prepared to spend billions and billions of taxpayers' money on baling out the banks. |
"They acknowledge climate change and yet the only [wind turbine] factory in the whole of Britain is being closed. | "They acknowledge climate change and yet the only [wind turbine] factory in the whole of Britain is being closed. |
"We are staying here until the workers are re-instated, particularly the ones at the factory who are fighting for the right to work and support their families." | "We are staying here until the workers are re-instated, particularly the ones at the factory who are fighting for the right to work and support their families." |
'Starve' workers out | 'Starve' workers out |
On Monday, RMT union boss Bob Crow said the sit-in workers at the factory had again been denied food parcels on Sunday night and Monday morning but they were later allowed through. | On Monday, RMT union boss Bob Crow said the sit-in workers at the factory had again been denied food parcels on Sunday night and Monday morning but they were later allowed through. |
He said if the protesters were denied access to the parcels in future, the RMT would seek a High Court injunction. | He said if the protesters were denied access to the parcels in future, the RMT would seek a High Court injunction. |
The RMT had accused Vestas of trying to "starve" the workers out by using security guards to restrict access to food and drink. | The RMT had accused Vestas of trying to "starve" the workers out by using security guards to restrict access to food and drink. |
Vestas has been supplying twice daily meals but the RMT says that is not enough. | Vestas has been supplying twice daily meals but the RMT says that is not enough. |
Seven supporters of the sit-in were arrested in London on Monday | Seven supporters of the sit-in were arrested in London on Monday |
Peter Kruse, Vestas spokesman, said on Monday: "The people inside are free to leave if they don't like what is on the menu." | Peter Kruse, Vestas spokesman, said on Monday: "The people inside are free to leave if they don't like what is on the menu." |
Seven people were arrested on Monday after apparently using super-glue to stick themselves together at the Department of Energy and Climate Change in support of the Vestas workers. | Seven people were arrested on Monday after apparently using super-glue to stick themselves together at the Department of Energy and Climate Change in support of the Vestas workers. |
The Vestas factory was due to shut on 31 July but the closure date has been put back to 10 August because of the sit-in. | The Vestas factory was due to shut on 31 July but the closure date has been put back to 10 August because of the sit-in. |
The protesters claim up to 25 people have been inside the factory. Eleven workers identified by the firm have been sacked. | |
Vestas's bid to have the workers removed failed last week when a judge ruled papers had not been served in accordance with legal rules. | Vestas's bid to have the workers removed failed last week when a judge ruled papers had not been served in accordance with legal rules. |
Vestas blamed the closure of the factory on a lack of demand for wind turbines in the UK. | Vestas blamed the closure of the factory on a lack of demand for wind turbines in the UK. |
Do you or someone you know work at the Vestas factory? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below. | Do you or someone you know work at the Vestas factory? Are you affected by the issues in this story? Send us your comments using the form below. |
A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box below. | A selection of your comments may be published, displaying your name and location unless you state otherwise in the box 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 |