Manchester says 'More wind, less talk'
Article published: Friday, August 7th 2009
Renewable energy manufacturer Vestas plans to close the UK’s only wind turbine factories on the Isle of Wight, with the loss of over 600 jobs. The workers there have different ideas, and are fighting back by occupying the factory. Along with a growing number of supporters across the country, they’re pressuring the government to put the factories into public ownership (like the Royal Bank of Scotland) and continue production. Vestas say they are shutting down because of lack of demand for wind turbines from the British market and low profit margins.
How exactly, you might ask, does this square with the government’s promises to green the economy? Wind power is at the centre of the government’s ‘Renewable Energy Strategy and Low Carbon White Paper’ which sets out how each sector of the economy will help to meet the overall target of a 34 per cent cut in CO2 emissions by 2020.
The Save Vestas campaign has struck a chord with a huge variety of left and green groups and is proving to be a thorn in the side of Secretary of State for Climate Change, Ed Miliband. Here in Manchester campaigners have been carrying out a range of actions to support and show solidarity to the Vestas workers.
This began on 28 July with a meeting at the Mechanics Institute. It was called by the Campaign Against Climate Change and supported by groups such as Manchester Green Party, Respect Union and many other concerned citizens. Speakers from Vestas, Manchester Trades Council and CaCC were on the panel, and each emphasised the need to demand action from the government.
The message from the meeting was that at a time when we urgently need to be investing in renewables we cannot allow our most significant manufacturer of wind turbine parts to shut down! The speaker from Vestas also relayed the impact the closure would have on communities on the Isle of Wight.
The following Saturday, a solidarity demonstration took place at Vestas HQ in Warrington. More events will be taking place in the coming days. This coming Saturday (8 August) campaigners will be doing mass-leafleting on Market Street between one and three in the afternoon, followed by a rally in Piccadilly Gardens. On Tuesday the 11th, a worker from Vestas will be in Manchester to address a meeting at the Friends Meeting House.
Get Involved! Join the Facebook group ‘Vestas Occupation North West Solidarity Group’ for updates, and follow this link for more information.
More: Manchester, News
Comments
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This is a message from the workers inside day 18 of the occupation of the Vestas Wind Power plant on the Isle of Wight.
They are calling for a demonstration on the island on Saturday and a national day of action across the country on Wednesday. Please circulate this as widely as possible:
Saturday 8th August – St Thomas Square, Newport – Rally and March
We ask all our supporters, family and friends to meet once again in Newport in St Thomas Square for a gathering and a march.
We urge you to utilise this time to meet new people and discuss new ideas to push this forward. The pressure is on the Govt but if we slow our campaign they will get away with a huge crime not just against people of the country but also the planet .
National Day of Action
We are calling on businesses, unions and individuals to show their support with a national day of action on Wednesday 12th of August.
We urge everyone around the country to do everything they can to show their support for the cause. Do anything you feel comfortable doing and remember you are morally correct . The bigger the better but anything from raising awareness and handing out flyers is useful too.
Comment by andyl on August 7, 2009 at 9:56 am
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