The occupation of a wind turbine factory is continuing even though a court order gave the owners repossession of the building and some of the workers ended their protest.
Six employees of Vestas Wind Systems stayed inside the building at Newport on the Isle of Wight despite the legal action by its Danish owners. Bob Crow, leader of the Rail Maritime and Transport Union, described the workers as “heroes” adding they had done more to promote green energy in the last two weeks than the Government had in the past 12 years.
Four of the protesters ended their two-week occupation – walking out to loud applause and cheers from scores of climate change activists and union members.One of the workers, Chris Ash, was reunited with his wife Ali who said: “I am so glad to see him – the last two weeks have been the longest of my life. It is best that they are leaving on their own terms rather than being dragged out by bailiffs.”
The four were interviewed briefly by police before being driven away from the factory which remained surrounded by police, security guards and protesters. Earlier, Vestas obtained a possession order at Newport County Court as part of moves to end the protest, although the company said it was in no hurry to send in bailiffs.The site was due to shut last Friday, with the loss of hundreds of jobs, but closure was delayed because of the occupation.
A small group of climate change activists and workers climbed onto the roof of a second Vestas factory at Cowes on the Isle of Wight on Tuesday morning to support the occupation.A company spokesman said: “We remain patiently optimistic, hoping for a peaceful solution to the protests.”
