Vestas workers declared "redundant" from 12 August

Submitted by martin on 12 August, 2009 - 4:11 Author: Martin Thomas

Workers at the Vestas wind turbine blade factories on the Isle of Wight have today (12 August) received letters saying that their employment is terminated as from 12 August, and promising them final payments (the remaining wages, redundancy pay, etc.) "within 21 days", i.e. by 2 September.

The redundancies were first scheduled for 31 July. Then Vestas bosses rescheduled them for "in the week beginning Monday 10 August". Then, surprisingly, they sent out another later saying that the redundancy date was not yet set, suggesting a further postponement. Then today's letters.

The letters put the battle on another tipping point. Will they make workers think that now they are redundant, Vestas bosses cannot sack them, and so they can be bolder? Or will they make more workers think that the campaign against closure was good while it lasted, but now it's all over?

Workers and supporters were out on the streets of Newport, Ryde, East Cowes, and Sandown today (12 August), stirring up support and saying that, as far as they are concerned, the battle certainly isn't over.

A larger rally is set for 5.30pm - assembling at the Vestas Venture Quays site in Castle St, East Cowes - and a workers' meeting is to follow at 7.30pm in Newport.

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