Fight for jobs continues at British wind turbine plant

On its Web site, the Danish firm Vestas boasts of being “number one in modern energy.” The manufacturer of wind turbines has 20 percent of the world market share. Until recently, many might have assumed the company was in the laudable business of saving the environment and creating “green jobs”—the jobs of the future.

That’s what workers first thought when they hired in at the Vestas plant on Britain’s Isle of Wight. Yet the green company revealed its hypocrisy when it consistently ignored skin and respiratory health issues of its own work force. Bosses were belligerent and abusive.

Vestas really showed its true colors this past July when it barely gave a month’s notice that all 600 plant employees would be made redundant—laid off—permanently.

Vestas workers drew worldwide attention when a small group of them took over the plant. Hundreds of their co-workers, neighbors, and labor and environmentalist allies maintained an outside presence through the 18-day occupation. When courts evicted the sit-downers on Aug. 12, Vestas management was soon faced with an occupation of a different kind.

Still fighting to save green jobs on the Isle, Vestas workers and supporters have set up two separate encampments. For several weeks, the workers and their supporters, including many concerned about climate change, have been living in tents outside the plant and at the wharf where Vestas intends to load blades onto ships bound for the U.S. Round-the-clock picketing at both sites is being maintained. A steady stream of people from all over Britain has been visiting Newport—the town where the plant is in the process of closing— to show solidarity.

On Sept. 15, four environmental activists locked themselves onto a huge crane that Vestas uses to load the enormous turbine blades. After seven hours, they were arrested and initially faced charges under the British Terrorism Act; the actual charges were reduced to “aggravated trespass.” That same day another group dropped a banner—with the slogan “our blades, our power”—from atop a barge loaded with blades.

“If it weren’t hurting them, Vestas would be able to ignore the blade blockade at the factory in Newport, Isle of Wight,” reports the Save Vestas Web site. “But it is hurting them. They can’t get the remaining blades and valuable equipment out. ...

“On Wednesday the camp at the Marine Gate was served with legal papers stating that the Isle of Wight council considers the blade blockade an ‘unauthorized traveler encampment’ and that they will try to recover the land it is on.

“Meanwhile, while these papers were being prepared, council leader David Pugh spoke to the sacked Vestas workers. Like Vestas he wants the blockade removed, but the workers pointed out that it is their main source of leverage with the Vestas company. Pugh offered to talk to Vestas, and claimed Vestas told him they have sent letters to the sacked workers about possible reinstatement. The workers have told Pugh that is not true–they have received no letters. Pugh has said that he will speak to Vestas again, this time to Paddy Weir, the plant manager.

“So that’s where it stands: the legal papers are not likely to be processed immediately; before the legal threat is acted on, Vestas has a chance to speak to the Vestas workers. There is every sign that the blade blockade is biting.” (savevestas.wordpress.com)

In addition, supporters in England, Scotland and Wales have formed committees and held solidarity actions with the Vestas workers.

Demonstrations were held in more than 10 cities on the second National Day of Solidarity on Sept. 17. The Trades Union Congress passed a resolution backing the workers. The Rail and Marine Transport union, which has adopted the previously unorganized workers at Vestas, submitted the resolution.