Vestas protesters take the message out

Submitted by martin on 18 July, 2009 - 10:29 Author: Martin Thomas
Turbine

Vestas workers and supporters demonstrated in the Isle of Wight on Friday 17 July when Prince Charles visited the island. The campaign against closure of Britain's only wind turbine factories is stepping up.

Vestas bosses - who have managed to prevent any union organisation in the factories over their nine years there - obviously have picked up that a new spirit of resistance is stirring among their workers.

They tipped off the police, who were very anxious to restrain us when Prince Charles visited, but still did not stop us getting across our message to the crowds and winning media coverage.

Campaigners are working flat-out, leafleting shift changes at the factories, leafleting and petitioning in the town centres, contacting local trade-unionists and activists for support, and preparing to give the workers backing in any moves they make.

What you can do:

  • Check out http://savevestas.wordpress.com. Use the petition and leaflet available there for local campaigning.
  • Send messages of support from your organisation, or yourself personally, to savevestas@gmail.com.
  • Send a donation from your trade-union or other organisation, or make a personal donation: cheques payable to Ryde and East Wight Trades Union Council, 22 Church Lane, Ryde, Isle of Wight, PO33 2NB
  • Organise a visible demonstration of solidarity. Take a photo with a placard that reads “Save Vestas” and email the photo to savevestas@gmail.com.
  • Flood Energy minister Ed Miliband with emails and phone calls. His e-address is milibande@parliament.uk. His phone number in his Doncaster constituency is 01302 875 462, and at Westminster, 020 7219 4778. Flood him with calls for the Government to take over the Vestas factory and keep it producing, under new management.
  • If you are an AWL member or sympathiser:
    • Come down to the Isle of Wight to help with campaigning. Phone 07950 978 083 for details.
    • If work or childcare commitments rule that out, volunteer to help us with campaign work over the phone or the internet. Campaigners on the island have no landline available to them, and internet only via public libraries or internet cafes. Again, phone 07950 978 083 for details.
    • Send a donation to AWL for the Vestas work (use the "donate" button in the left hand menu column). The activists in the Isle of Wight need money for copying leaflets, for travel, and to sustain themselves.

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