SACKED workers and supporters of Warrington Wolves’ principal sponsor Vestas, who are maintaining a blockade at a factory which is closing down with the loss of up to 600 jobs, are planning a second day of national action.
Eleven employees who staged a sit in at the factory on the Isle of Wight after the closure was announced are maintaining a sit in, saying their main leverage over politicians and theVestas company is to prevent Vestas removing valuable equipment .
A spokesperson for the workers said: “We, the workers, see it as our duty to stop our blades from leaving, as part of the campaign to nationalise the factory. Vestas have told us that there is no demand for our products but are still unwilling to sell the site to other interested parties. It is clear the government must act on such an important issue as renewable energy production. They should not let our future be dictated solely by profit.
“We are calling on the government to invest in green jobs on the Isle of Wight, and for Vestas to reinstate the eleven sacked workers who occupied the factory.”
On Thursday September 17 they are planning a second national day of action around the Vestas campaign. During the last action day protestors campaigned outside the Wolves’ Haliwell Jones Stadium. A number of events are being planned around the country.
Vestas Blades UK made production workers at their factories on the Isle of Wight redundant on August 12 and 600 jobs have been or will soon be lost. They claim many more jobs that depend on Vestas will follow.
Meanwhile the government has just announced a major expansion of renewable energy including wind power. Employees are calling on Vestas to keep the factories open, saving jobs and offering those who want to leave a better redundancy deal.
They are also calling on the government to intervene to save jobs at Vestas – through nationalisation if that is what it takes – to show that it is serious about saving the planet.
Vestas who have head quarters in Birchwood, Warrington, have previously announced that the decision to close the factory on the Isle of White will have no impact on their Wolves sponsorship.
One reason they have given for scaling down their UK operations is the problems being faced with planning regulations for installing wind turbines.
SACKED workers and supporters of Warrington Wolves' principal sponsor
Vestas, who are maintaining a blockade at a factory which is closing
down with the loss of up to 600 jobs, are planning a second day of
national action.
Sacked workers plan more action
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About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
