Vestas occupation over, but protests continue

Workers at Vestas’ Isle of Wight wind-turbine blade factory have vowed to continue putting pressure on the company and the UK government to save their jobs.

Their occupation of the factory ended peacefully last week as they were driven out by bailiffs armed with an eviction order.

The workers, who occupied the factory for over two weeks, were greeted by huge cheers from the waiting crowd.

None were arrested as they left the building.

Protests to save the workers’ jobs will continue with a rally at the factory’s gates.

Justin Moody, one of the occupiers, said: “We’ve still got a lot to do. We’ve got to continue our work and put pressure on the government.”

Another, Mark Smith, added: “We need to keep the pressure on. We need to stop any work or shipping out of here. We have to now we’re out.”

A spokesperson for the campaign confirmed that efforts will be “stepping up”.

“Vestas workers now intend to picket the plant to prevent Vestas from taking back complete control of it, and the machinery and the turbine blades that are still inside,” she said.

“The Vestas workers and their supporters are stepping up their campaign to put pressure on the Government to intervene to save these green jobs.”

Wednesday 12 August has been declared a national day of solidarity with Vestas workers.