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Sit-in workers ignore court order | Sit-in workers ignore court order |
(about 6 hours later) | |
Six sit-in protesters at a wind turbine blade factory on the Isle of Wight are continuing their action despite a court granting a possession order. | |
Up to 25 demonstrators and workers barricaded themselves inside Vestas' Newport plant 15 days ago in a protest at plans to axe 625 jobs. | |
A worker said they would ignore the order and stay for as long as possible. | |
The firm will need to obtain a warrant before bailiffs can go in and evict those inside with 24 hours' notice. | The firm will need to obtain a warrant before bailiffs can go in and evict those inside with 24 hours' notice. |
Newport County Court told the BBC Vestas had not yet applied for a warrant of possession. | Newport County Court told the BBC Vestas had not yet applied for a warrant of possession. |
If the warrant is obtained, bailiffs will then need to be informed and give the protestors 24 hours' notice before going in. | If the warrant is obtained, bailiffs will then need to be informed and give the protestors 24 hours' notice before going in. |
Boos and jeers | Boos and jeers |
One of the workers inside said: "If they have to get this warrant we will be happy to stay until they do it. | One of the workers inside said: "If they have to get this warrant we will be happy to stay until they do it. |
"Vestas has bullied us for too long so we will give them some of their own medicine. | "Vestas has bullied us for too long so we will give them some of their own medicine. |
"If and when we do have to come out we will do it peacefully but not before then." | "If and when we do have to come out we will do it peacefully but not before then." |
He said those inside had packed their bags after hearing news of the possession order but these have been unpacked. | He said those inside had packed their bags after hearing news of the possession order but these have been unpacked. |
The roof-top protest coincides with the world-famous Cowes Week regatta | The roof-top protest coincides with the world-famous Cowes Week regatta |
Four of the workers have left since the order was granted and six remain inside. | |
"One had a Land's End to John O'Groats charity cycle ride on Saturday and had to go to prepare. | "One had a Land's End to John O'Groats charity cycle ride on Saturday and had to go to prepare. |
"A few are going for personal reasons but there will always be someone here," the protester added. | "A few are going for personal reasons but there will always be someone here," the protester added. |
Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, who was in court, said the union would continue with its campaign to save the jobs. | Bob Crow, general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union, who was in court, said the union would continue with its campaign to save the jobs. |
"The court has made its decision, but we will continue with our campaign and the right to work on green energy jobs." | "The court has made its decision, but we will continue with our campaign and the right to work on green energy jobs." |
Judge Graham White said he was satisfied that legal papers had been served on the group of 11 workers who have barricaded themselves into the factory. | Judge Graham White said he was satisfied that legal papers had been served on the group of 11 workers who have barricaded themselves into the factory. |
The decision was greeted with boos and jeers by scores of climate change activists and members of the RMT union, who staged a protest outside the court. | The decision was greeted with boos and jeers by scores of climate change activists and members of the RMT union, who staged a protest outside the court. |
A Vestas spokesman said: "We are as patient as we have been all along. We have been in wind turbines for 30 years - we are very patient in everything we do. | A Vestas spokesman said: "We are as patient as we have been all along. We have been in wind turbines for 30 years - we are very patient in everything we do. |
"We remain patiently optimistic, hoping for a peaceful solution in the interests of all parties, particularly the people inside." | "We remain patiently optimistic, hoping for a peaceful solution in the interests of all parties, particularly the people inside." |
Meanwhile five people have started a rooftop protest at Vestas' Venture Quays building in Cowes. | Meanwhile five people have started a rooftop protest at Vestas' Venture Quays building in Cowes. |
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". |
Vestas has blamed the plans to lay off the 625 workers on a drop in demand. | Vestas has blamed the plans to lay off the 625 workers on a drop in demand. |