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Sit-in wind blade factory closes Sit-in wind blade factory closes
(about 4 hours later)
Vestas has confirmed its wind turbine blade factory on the Isle of Wight has closed with the loss of 425 jobs.Vestas has confirmed its wind turbine blade factory on the Isle of Wight has closed with the loss of 425 jobs.
Workers at the Newport site held a sit-in protest over the planned closure, which ended after 19 days last week. Workers at the Newport site held a sit-in protest over the planned closure, which ended last week after 19 days when they were evicted by bailiffs.
The Danish firm told staff at Newport and its operation in Southampton earlier they have been made redundant following the end of consultations. Rallies have been held across the UK in support of the workers who were told earlier, along with staff in Southampton, they had been laid off.
Vestas blamed the lack of demand for wind turbines in the UK. Protest events are being held across the UK. The Danish firm blamed the lack of demand for wind turbines in the UK.
A national day of action had already been organised by the Rail Maritime and Transport union in support of the workers. The protests across the UK were organised by the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) union and included events in Cowes on the Isle of Wight and in Southampton.
Eleven employees involved in the sit-in had already been sacked by Vestas as a result of their protest. Demonstrations in about 15 other towns and cities were due to take place including in Birmingham, Brighton, Liverpool, Sheffield and Cardiff.
Eleven employees involved in the sit-in had already been sacked by Vestas as a result of their 19-day sit-in protest.
'Difficult decision''Difficult decision'
The demonstration ended on Friday when they were evicted by bailiffs, with some workers abseiling and jumping from the first-floor office they had been occupying. The demonstration ended on Friday when the workers were evicted by bailiffs, with some workers abseiling and jumping from the first-floor office they had been occupying.
Ian Terry, who spent the full 19 days inside the factory, said: "The workers now know where they stand, they are redundant and they have their money. But the fight is still going on.Ian Terry, who spent the full 19 days inside the factory, said: "The workers now know where they stand, they are redundant and they have their money. But the fight is still going on.
One of the workers jumped from the first-floor officeOne of the workers jumped from the first-floor office
"Vestas is not going to budge on things because the decisions are being made from higher up."Vestas is not going to budge on things because the decisions are being made from higher up.
"They thought we were going to be an easy ride as we are not unionised but our workforce are strong." "They thought we were going to be an easy ride as we are not unionised, but our workforce are strong."
He said he still hoped some jobs could be saved before the site eventually closes. He said he still hoped some jobs could be saved before the site eventually closed.
Vestas said as of Wednesday production had ceased at its sites and staff made redundant. Vestas said as of Wednesday production had ceased at its sites and staff had been made redundant.
But 57 employees will continue to work at the Newport factory "for months rather than weeks" to assist in clearing and closing the site for good. But 57 employees will continue to work at the Newport factory "for months rather than weeks" to help in clearing and closing the site for good.
Another 40 employees have been found new roles within the firm's research and development facility on the island Another 40 employees have been found new roles in the firm's research and development facility on the island.
Ole Borup Jakobsen, president of Vestas Blades, said: "The decision to close the factory was very difficult, and we fully recognise the impact this will have on employees, their families and on the Isle of Wight.Ole Borup Jakobsen, president of Vestas Blades, said: "The decision to close the factory was very difficult, and we fully recognise the impact this will have on employees, their families and on the Isle of Wight.
"Nonetheless, this commercial decision was absolutely necessary to secure Vestas' competiveness."Nonetheless, this commercial decision was absolutely necessary to secure Vestas' competiveness.
"We understand and have sympathy that employees are deeply affected by the closure.""We understand and have sympathy that employees are deeply affected by the closure."
He added all workers have received information, advice and guidance on finding new jobs. He added that all workers had received information, advice and guidance on finding new jobs.
Vestas said redundancy payments would be more than double those required by statute.Vestas said redundancy payments would be more than double those required by statute.
The firm said it will continue research and development activities on the Isle of Wight, and maintain its sales and service business in the UK. The firm said it would continue research and development activities on the Isle of Wight, and maintain its sales and service business in the UK.