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Save Vestas Wind Turbine Plant
8 July, 2009 - 15:05
Dear Friends
Could you circulate this as widely as possible, especially to people in London and on the South Coast. Apologies for cross posting. If you possibly can, please join a rally to save the Vestas wind turbine plant, this Saturday 11 July, 12 noon,St James Square, Newport, Isle of Wight (outside Millets).
PDFs OF LEAFLETS, POSTERS AND PETITION SHEETS AVAILABLE
BY EMAILING INFO@CAMPAIGNCC.ORG
THE LEAFLET FROM THE SAVE VESTAS CAMPAIGN SAYS:
Save Vestas, save jobs, save the planet
The Island, as we know, hangs in a fragile balance, and with the closure of the Vestas wind turbine plant in Newport we will take another step closer to the edge. For as yet another company succumbs to the recession, 600 workers are soon to find themselves unemployed.
What they need is the support they deserve:
- SUPPORT THE WORKERS: Help stop the Island’s rising unemployment rate and let these workers and others keep their jobs.
- SUPPORT THEIR FAMILIES: Help the workers provide for those who still depend on Vestas.
- SUPPORT THE ECONOMY: Help keep one of the Island’s largest employers and prevent the effect it would have on smaller businesses through its closure.
- SUPPORT THE ENVIRONMENT: Vestas provides a clean ‘green’ energy source. Don’t deny the world Vestas’ climate saving product.
It may seem small, but your support is greatly needed. This would not just aid us locally, but on a global scale.
SAVE VESTAS, SAVE THE ISLAND, SAVE THE WORLD
Message from a Vestas worker:
“As a wind turbine manufacturer I was confident as the recession took hold that green or renewable energy would be the area where many jobs could be created not lost. So I was, along with many others, horrified to find out that our jobs were moving to America. Over 600 jobs from the Isle of Wight and Portsmouth were going to be added to the already poor state of island unemployment.
“This has and will continue to send shockwaves of uncertainty through countless families—many of which are being forced to relocate away from the island. I find this hard to stomach as the government are getting away with claiming they are investing heavily in these types of industry.
“I think it’s about time they stopped bailing out greedy bankers and started doing what they claim to be doing. The people of Vestas matter and the people of the island matter but equally importantly the people of this planet matter.
“I for one will not be brushed under the carpet by a government who is claiming to help us.
“Please show your support for Vestas workers as we try to take our concerns all the way to Number 10.”
Email messages of support to savevestas@gmail.com
Thank you,
Jonathan Neale, Campaign against Climate Change, findjonathan@hotmail.com
14 July, 2009 - 22:51
#2
Sending messages of support to savevestas@gmail.com is good but let's try to win the campaign by writing to our MPs (i did this, this morning) or write to Mandelson via FOE website.
At last, something that looks like it might be a campaign website: Save Vestas blog
20 July, 2009 - 23:03
#3
HELP THE VESTAS FACTORY OCCUPATION NOW
TELL THE GOVERNMENT WE NEED THOSE GREEN JOBS
Workers at the Vestas Wind Turbine factory on the Isle of Wight have JUST NOW occupied their factory. They are fighting for 600 jobs and the future of the planet. They need help now.
You can help support them by :
TEXT ING AND CALLING EVERYONE YOU KNOW.
There is a large picket of support starting outside the factory. This will be crucial in giving people confidence inside. We want hundreds of people by morning.
If you are not working, can you come now, by car, bus or train ?
If you are on the South Coast and working, you could come for the night (go to work exhausted and proud !).
If you can’t come, can you call up friends and offer to pay the fare or petrol money for someone else to come down ? Or part of the fare ?
.
WE WANT HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE NOW.
SAVE THE PLANET – GREEN JOBS NOW
The workers want Gordon Brown to step in as if it was a troubled bank and save the jobs and keep making wind turbine blades. They gave the bankers trillions. They have talked about creating 40,000 "Green Jobs" - the first step should be protecting these 600.
The workers will need solidarity - donations of money, food and other assistance. In the first instance please send messages of solidarity to savevestas@gmail.com
This is much bigger than just Vestas and 600 jobs – this is about showing the government we are not going to let them get away with ‘green jobs’ rhetoric and no action.
But help is urgently needed right now or this opportunity could be lost. So please do what you can – to come or spread the word.
22 July, 2009 - 16:47
#4
Demo tonight at DECC in London. Think there is going to be a good turnout. Wonder if we can at least spell out Save Vestas with volunteer bodies on the street. Vs are so easy to do. Not sure about the a's though.
Think the occupiers should invite Siemens and GE and other global wind turbine manufacturers to have a look around the factory with a view to buying it while there is still a welcoming team and local expertise available to answer questions. A press release would be a good way to do this.
23 July, 2009 - 13:23
#5
I'm of course sorry that these people are losing their jobs, particularly at a time when it's so hard to get another one.
But frankly, if the plant is uneconomical to run at it's currently location why continue? Wind power is already going to be massively expensive to construct and maintain for a very minor return. Considering the vast economic burden already on the UK economy, and is likely to face in the future, why throw good money after bad?
23 July, 2009 - 22:01
#6
The govt. has shown it can divert huge sums to prop up the banking system. It could equally have diverted money into Green infrastrucuture banks, regional banking systems (as in other European countries where green manufacturing has been kickstarted into profitability) with longer term investment cycles and popular measures like Green Bonds open to the public through the Post office (a better investment for the child trust fund?). But it hasn't and isn't. In the meantime, how many supporters would buy a bond to support this factory? And if not, what would stop you?
24 July, 2009 - 09:34
#7
"(as in other European countries where green manufacturing has been kickstarted into profitability)"
I assume you're not talking about Spain there.
24 July, 2009 - 17:21
#8
Ed Miliband's article in the Guardian about how we should all save Vestas is a great read. Some of the subsequent and amusing comments suggest that perhaps that was His Job. Anyway Ed has got a point, many local authorities are squashing wind turbine applications, including Isle of Wight.
I wrote to East Herts council last month and asked whether they had approved ANY onshore wind applications. Nope came back the answer but he thought a local school had a couple of wind turbines. Very true, a total of two small turbines 12 kilowatts.
FOE has been running very good email campaigns to help get specific planning applications approved but we are going to have to be better postcode organised so local greens can help push through local applications like pro wind. Perhaps we need to flash mob council planning committee meetings that we think are going to turn down applications, not very democratic but what else can we do?
Lewis Page has written a long rant about wind energy in The Register and throws in an attack on the BBC's Roger Harrabin while he's at it. You can see why Vestas is expanding in the United States and China. But what's really encouraging is that amongst the 115 comments, quite a few of the conservative The Register readers (mainly IT people) are critical about the article. Perhaps the tide is turning.
29 July, 2009 - 13:45
#9
This damning report from the BWEA in early July shows how little progress has been made by local authorities in meeting onshore wind targets. It says:
With respect to the indicative onshore wind energy targets that are adopted by five of the regions, current progress is universally poor. Even with an optimistic assumption that all projects currently with planning permission are commissioned by the end of 2010, the onshore wind element of regional renewable energy targets (aggregate of the individual onshore wind targets ) will be missed by 45%.
London has already met its target. But all the other local authorities are asleep.
30 July, 2009 - 11:50
#10
vestas clearly knows that this government is incompetent when it comes to saving the planet and the 600 employees now sacked for going on strike to save their jobs doing summat that has already helped to save the world, is classic...
Six million retraining allowance from Ed Miliband (minister responsible for this classic british cock-up) is or should be enough to secure those jobs, at least in the short term... (six mil/600 = £10,000 per worker for a year = guarantee jobs for all 600 workers for a year's worth of training, in which they all re-train as managers and business owners, then BusinessLink South then helps to buyout Vestas stake in this company - british workers taking over british jobs eg Wellworths...)
Vestas have clearly found a cheaper way to make these huge blades and want to export the british jobs to china or malaysia or anywhere cheaper than the UK!!! That's my guess...
Whatever happens, it's in the British Public's interest to save these jobs and if the workers themselves wanna take on the responsibility and take it away from Vestas, then best of luck guys! You have my full support for whatever you do to save both your jobs, the business and your contribution to saving the planet from fat greedy landlords like Vestas!
Ed Miliband should be talking of nationalising companies like Vestas anyways, to help build a better future for us all, not just for fat greedy landlords like Vestas - quote me or sue me, these are my views '...and damn the torpedoes!!!'
31 July, 2009 - 11:26
#11
From a Vestas occupant via the SaveVestas email list:
hello to everyone who has been supporting us My name is ian i am an occupant of vestas blades We need your help We have the support of the RMT, FBU, POA, PCS. These forces and the wider solidarity from workers is what the government fears above all else. We need your support on tues outside the court in newport. As this is not an realistic request for some people who are miles away i ask you to email your union leaders and get a couple of ambassadors of your union down. To show the unity we have felt from the start This is the key to telling the government we are not alone pls email me personally with any ideas or info on the court site but we need to be out in force standing shoulder to shoulder Last give our planet a fair chance.
ian terry
thanks for all your support it has kept us all focused.
2 August, 2009 - 23:36
#12
Dear Ian and all supporters,
Sustainable Steatham is a group formed only a few weeks ago but has now 65 members. But Lambeth Climate Action Group is much bigger - I've asked one of the leaders if there's already a letter template that we can all add to and lobby (again and again) our MPs and other elected members.
Once we get a template letter together, I'll also ask everyone in the Project Dirt Community to lobby too.
I no longer belong to a union, but this is what I can do. I want you to stay open!
Bo
18 August, 2009 - 11:39
#13
Please forward as widely as possible. Apologies for cross-posting
NATIONAL DAY OF ACTION FOR VESTAS
THE DATE OF THE DAY OF ACTION HAS CHANGED
TO THURSDAY 17 SEPTEMBER
The Vestas wind turbine workers in the RMT union have called a national Day of Action. This short document from the Campaign against Climate Trade Union group will explain what has happened, what you can do, and why you should act.
This is a fight for jobs, for the island community, and for the planet. We want that will make the government act.
WHAT HAS HAPPENED
Vestas is the largest wind turbine manufacturing company in the world. In May they announced redundancies for 625 workers in their two factories on the Isle of Wight and one in Southampton. Vestas was the only wind turbine blade manufacturer in the UK. In July 20 workers occupied a factory on the Isle of Wight to save their jobs, with the support of the great majority of their fellow workers. They managed to hold the occupation for 18 days, and are now determined to fight on.
The occupation made national news. It also forced the government to offer Vestas further grants, and to offer to buy the factory. Vestas has refused both offers, so there seems no way to save the jobs but nationalisation. Hundreds of Vestas workers have joined the RMT union, which is prepared to back them all the way.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Some things are an obvious part of a day of action, but we want you to do the obvious and then some. This is a fight for jobs and the planet. We want action that will force the government to step in.
Here are some suggestions of what you can do. In many workplaces less will be possible. That’s fine. And many groups of workers will also have other new ideas.
Leafleting, lunchtime rallies and after work rallies are a first step. We can cover towns in posters and banners.
We also suggest direct action – banner drops, swift sit-ins, roof occupations, chaining people to the railings and the like. We hope that will be happening all over the country on September 17.
We also want action by groups of workers. This will have an enormous public impact. But it will not be an easy thing to do. So we have to look for actions that go beyond the bounds of routine, but that groups of workers can imagine themselves doing. Here are some suggestions:
In secondary schools, teachers in their local union groups can approach the head and organise a day when all lessons are about climate change, green jobs and Vestas. Teachers can approach this from the point of view of their subject. The Campaign against Climate Change will produce a teacher’s pack.
We can do the same in further education colleges.
In hospitals, staff could come out to the front of the building in their uniforms with placards calling on people to support the Vestas workers, green jobs and the planet. This would make a big impact.
In the fire service, local union groups of the FBU could hang big banners out the front of the station, doing for planet safety what they already do for fire safety.
Civil servants in some offices have suggested that everyone turn off the computers and the phones at the same time for fifteen minutes. If management complain, they will say they are all taking their break at the same time. Maybe other workplaces could do this for fifteen minutes, or longer.
Other forms of action will make sense in other workplaces and industries. The key is something people think is real, but is not too scary.
If it is possible anywhere, in any workplace in the country, no matter how small, we want short strikes or short occupations by groups of workers.
,
We also suggest direct action – banner drops, swift sit-ins, roof occupations, chaining people to the railings and the like. We hope that will be happening all over the country on September 17.
News of these sort of actions will encourage other people to act, and make rallies and marches bigger. The Vestas workers may win by September. But if they do not, a strong day of action will worry the government, and when the universities start again, we want another day of action and student occupations all over the country.
HOW TO BUILD THE DAY OF ACTION
None of these actions will just happen. People will have to start organising now. This means meetings for the town in the next few weeks. If you hold a public meeting, do it before 9 September, not on the day. But it also means small planning meetings of teachers, hospital workers and so on in each town. We also need small meetings of activists in each workplace to start planning, maybe only a few people down the pub at first. Then we need union meetings in sections, or special meetings for staff only where there is no management.
A simple but important way to start is GREEN RIBBONS. On the Isle of Wight, the Vestas workers have been making and selling small green ribbons like the ribbons people wear for National Aids Day or breast cancer. All you need is some green ribbon, some glue and some small safety pins. If a whole office or factory are wearing the ribbons, it shows people all care.
Vestas is a Danish company. The Vestas workers are hoping to go to London to the Danish Embassy, to see the Danish ambassador. Their union will also be taking Vestas workers to the TUC conference in Liverpool during the week of the day of action.
WHAT IS AT STAKE
A national Day of Action is not a small thing. No one asks other workers to do it lightly.
The Vestas workers want the government to nationalise the factory, make wind turbine blades, and give all 625 workers back their jobs. The government can do this. If Vestas was a bank they would already have done it.
It’s about their jobs, but it’s about all our jobs. We are facing mass unemployment. If the Vestas workers win, every threatened workforce in the country will feel more confident in fighting for their jobs.
It’s about the island community. Unemployment is already high on the Isle of Wight. The loss of these jobs will devastate the community.
Above all, it’s about the planet. The scientists have told us that unless humanity acts, we will face a catastrophe. Everyone knows that the switch to wind power is essential to stop climate change. And Britain has the largest wind reserves in Europe.
The government knows this. They make promises to create hundreds of thousands of green jobs. But they won’t save 625 green jobs. They say the wind power industry is going to expand massively in Britain and across the world. We have to hold them to their word.
The government says they want a million green jobs in Britain. We have to hold them to that, and make sure we get the jobs now.
If the Vestas workers win, every one in this country facing unemployment will be braver. If they win, everyone fighting for green jobs will be braver. Please act, for them, for ourselves, and for the planet.
IF YOU WANT TO HELP
The Campaign against Climate Change efforts to build the Day of Action, please email Jonathan Neale [at] hotmail.com.
20 August, 2009 - 14:41
#14
Our first meeting in Derby around Vestas on July 29, as reported, was very typical of certain types of meeting. It was held in the City Council chamber, which has fixed seating in curved rows focusing upon the platform. It is where the Trades Council meets as well as the City Council. The very arena influenced the nature of the meeting, ostensibly democratic, but in practice rather traditional and it lent itself to people making ‘speeches’.
There have been some spin offs but in many ways things have gone quiet in Derby re Vestas. Now there is the call for a National Day of Action and we are talking about setting up a completely different sort of meeting – very informal and very participative – and involving as many people as we can from the political parties (Labour party, SWP, GreenPeace) and from the political hippy world and from the unions and from the Transition Town group and from Climate camp activists. The mix should everyone feel stronger.
What we do on the National Day of Action will be entirely dependent upon the energies and creativity of those people present. And I suppose on the National momentum.
Mandelson, Lord of Darkness is extremely lucky that there is no real national campaign to save this factory (there is not even a wesbite). If any one single event demonstrated how poorly Mandelson was running his department (DBIS), it must be this potential closure. Why does one the largest manufacturers of wind turbines in the world want to close a blade factory when the UK government says its going to massively expand off shore wind generation. What do Vestas know that we don't?