UK Indymedia - UK Workers' Movements Newswire Archive

Get down to Vestas - Occupy, Camp, Resist, Cook, Produce!

27-09-2009 20:50

There has been a camp outside the Vestas factory on the St. Cross Business Park, Dodnor Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight, since at least the beginning of the Occupation of the factory on 20th July this year. The camp has a well established kitchen run by volunteers who serve quality vegan evening meals 'Roundabout 8', with lunch and breakfast also provided and sometimes cooked too. Those who occupied the factory are often present, together with climate campers and those from assorted lefty groups and unions. Get down there and join 'em! ...and take some cake with ya!

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Jobs, Education, Peace: Protest at Labour Party Conference

27-09-2009 17:02

While Labour began its Party conference, Brighton seafront hosted thousands of people calling for ‘Jobs, Education and Peace’.

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Has anyone seen this lad before - Vestas Security...

27-09-2009 16:12

The security firm employed by Vestas to 'protect' 'their' factory on the St. Cross Business Park, Dodnor Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight has been kept secret by both companies. It seems to employ a large number of ex-military types, who have apparently done tours in Iraq, Afghanistan and Bosnia. There were a few scots to begin with, now there's a fair few geordies and one Northern Irish , plus miscellaneous others. More pics when we can...

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Go Bananas @ Chiquita fruit CEOs, organisers of Honduran terrorist coup

26-09-2009 21:21

GET FAIRTRADE & FRUITY for democracy NOW!
Contact details for Protest against Honduras embassies & CEOs responsible for organising the continuing terrorist coup, that was mainly done to stop a very basic minimal wage for the majority of Hondurans who live in dire poverty
Support UN calls for international intervention against Gorilletis the banana thieves

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Promoting Corporate Welfare

26-09-2009 11:55

Unemployment Benefits give Businesses a 90% wage bill reduction. While Unemployment is at high, benefits rates are at an all time, historical low. This is resulting in a nett transfer of wealth from private individuals to shareholders.

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Nationalist campaign by Unite union bureaucracy over Vauxhall-Opel takeover

25-09-2009 18:57

The sell-off of General Motors’ European operations, Opel and Vauxhall, to the Canadian-Russian consortium Magna has elicited a poisonous “us first” response by the trade unions involved, that stomps all over any notion of class solidarity.

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G20 Pittsburgh Today: Black Bloc, Tear Gas, Cops Etc

24-09-2009 22:44

PITTSBURGH — Police fired canisters of pepper spray and smoke at marchers protesting the Group of 20 summit Thursday after anarchists responded to calls to disperse by rolling trash bins and throwing rocks. The march turned chaotic at just about the time that President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama arrived for a meeting with leaders of the world's major economies.

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The One-Sided War on the Streets of Honduras

23-09-2009 13:53

“We will continue the struggle for democracy,” said Zelaya, as the crowd voiced their desire for a new constitution. “This time I won’t be caught napping,” joked Zelaya, referring to the episode on June 28, when the military accosted him in his pajamas.

Later, when the lights were cut, there were fears the authorities might storm the gates at any moment, and side arms were handed out to security guards. The lights soon returned courtesy of the compound’s generator (and gas supplied by La Resistencia). The expected attack didn’t come until dawn, when police launched tear gas shells into the courtyard, and forcibly occupied neighboring buildings."

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Filipino workers say "Never Again"

23-09-2009 02:59

Workers belonging to the Coalition Against Contractualization (KONTRA) today marched to Mendiola to mark the anniversary of the signing of Proclamation 1081 that imposed Martial Law 37 years ago and to reaffirm their vows to never again let the country slip into darkness.

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How to Get to Vestas - go there now!

22-09-2009 21:21

It's really important that people get down to Vestas ASAP to prevent the last few Wind Turbine Blades remaining in the St Cross Business Park, Newport, IOW factory, and in Southampton Docks, from leaving to America. This is a really good piece of leverage to argue for reinstatement of sacked workers, better redundancy packages, installation of the blades on turbines in the UK, a buyout of the factory and worker control of it, and better Energy and Climate Change policies from govt, businesses, trade unions, individuals etc. Get on it!

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Public Meeting - Brighton - Support the Vestas Workers - 24/09/09

22-09-2009 19:23

With speakers from the Vestas occupation, Lewisham Bridge School occupation, the Visteon occupation and local refuse workers and employees of Brighton Housing Trust, who have currently ongoing disputes.

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Vestas Protest: Marine Gate Blockade Moved by Police

22-09-2009 12:24

Early this morning, a large number of Police were in attendance at the riverside gate of the Vestas Blade plant in Newport.

The blockade of protesters, who have been camping on the tow path over the last few weeks, were dispersed by the Police and any unclaimed belongings bagged up and removed.

When we arrived at the site at about 8:30am, fencing was being erected by security staff along the path.

The operation started at about 6:30am when officers issued warnings, under section 69 of the Criminal Justice and Public Order Act 1994, to around 13 people “suspected of having committed, committing, or about to commit, criminal offences of aggravated trespass.”

One protester showed us a map she’d be handed showing an area at the back of the Vestas building. She told VB that she had been instructed not return to the marked area for three months.

Tents, sleeping bags and other items which were not claimed by those present were bagged up and taken to Newport Police Station as lost property.

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Urgent: Vestas Blade Blockade Needs You

22-09-2009 10:02

Activists outside the Vestas factory on the St Cross Business Park, Dodnor Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight have been tipped off that Tuesday at 12 noon a 'Blade Runner' barge is coming down the river Medina to the Vestas factory from Southampton to pick up some of the remaining blades still inside the factory. Those present expect a big police presence along with big support from other supporters and activists. They claim they are prepared to do anything and everything to stop Vestas from shipping these blades or from getting anything into the factory if that’s their plan.

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Dawn at Vestas Blade Blockade

21-09-2009 10:46

The Blade Blockade at the (once Occupied) Vestas Wind Turbine Blade Factory at the St Cross Business Park, Dodnor Lane, Newport, Isle of Wight was served a letter before claim type notice of eviction from WIGGUN solicitors the other day. We took some nice photos of the dawn the day after to encourage people to visit (on yer way to Calais, natch). Climbers, cooks and nocturnal creatures particularly warmly welcomed. The fires are still burning!

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Why is unemployment ignored by the Left?

20-09-2009 23:45

The Left are caught up in an endless series of navel gazing activities that ignore fundamental struggles. The relationship between people and economics is one of the struggles that has ceased to be of any great interest to campaigners and political activists. The reason is plain and simple: Thatcher Won the Class War.

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Screws Party - Prison officers leader joins Socialist Party!!!!!

18-09-2009 23:58

Where is the left going? These guys aren't fluffy civil servants.

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Dissident Island Radio tonight

18-09-2009 18:05

Corporate Watch // Key Party // Library House // Now or Never // Vestas updates

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Vestas crane Occupiers are released from custody

17-09-2009 14:46

Vestas supporters climbed cranes in southamptoin docks two daysw ago in order to put pressure on the company to reinstate sacked workers with full reduyndancy pay. They stopped work on the site for seven hours and were threatened with arrest under the terrorism act. Here is the press release sent out after their release from custody.

lots of photos available on request and on website:

savevestas@wordpress.com or from the ventnor blog

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Free films at 56a Infoshop: Full Unemployment Cinema, Sunday

17-09-2009 11:25

Once again Full Unemployment Cinema are back with their free film screenings about work and all that. This month we have a special 'Men With Carts' Double-Bill

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SEEDA offices targetted in Vestas solidairy action

17-09-2009 11:11

This morning the Chatham offices of the South East England Development Agency were tragetted by protesters as part of the national days of action for Vestas workers. Banners were dropped from the top floor balcony and a mini windfarm was erected in the lobby. No arrests were made.