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Sit-in turbine workers hold rally | Sit-in turbine workers hold rally |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Workers who staged a 19-day sit-in protest inside an office at a wind turbine blade factory on the Isle of Wight have taken part in a rally. | |
They left when bailiffs entered Vestas in Newport on Friday after the firm was granted a possession order. | They left when bailiffs entered Vestas in Newport on Friday after the firm was granted a possession order. |
Up to 12 workers had occupied the office since 20 July in protest at plans to axe 625 jobs, which the firm said was due to a fall in demand. | Up to 12 workers had occupied the office since 20 July in protest at plans to axe 625 jobs, which the firm said was due to a fall in demand. |
Saturday's rally went from Newport's St Thomas Square to the factory gates. | |
The workers were supported by trade union representatives and environmentalists, who have rallied behind them throughout the protest. | |
Jumped from balcony | Jumped from balcony |
Up to 12 people had taken part in the sit-in but several workers left during the week. | Up to 12 people had taken part in the sit-in but several workers left during the week. |
On Friday, bailiffs forced their way inside the first-floor office to remove the remaining six workers. | On Friday, bailiffs forced their way inside the first-floor office to remove the remaining six workers. |
One worker leapt from a balcony and two others abseiled from a wall. | One worker leapt from a balcony and two others abseiled from a wall. |
Crowds of supporters lined the site cheering on the men before they were spoken to by police. | Crowds of supporters lined the site cheering on the men before they were spoken to by police. |
They had raised a sign from a balcony outside which said "Vestas, this is only the start, you will lose." | They had raised a sign from a balcony outside which said "Vestas, this is only the start, you will lose." |
Vestas is closing the Newport site because it says the UK wind turbine market was not big enough. | Vestas is closing the Newport site because it says the UK wind turbine market was not big enough. |
The Department of Energy and Climate Change said it would not comment on private meetings, but added that discussions had been held with Vestas over the closure. | The Department of Energy and Climate Change said it would not comment on private meetings, but added that discussions had been held with Vestas over the closure. |
The company has said that subsidies were not the issue and the factory was closing because of a lack of orders. | The company has said that subsidies were not the issue and the factory was closing because of a lack of orders. |
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